Ambode’s giant strides in Epe

SIR: Epe, one the divisions in Lagos State, which had for a long time been on the wrong side of development index in the state, is gradually wearing a new look and a face lift.

In the last few years, the town had languished under the heavy yoke of bad roads and the twin problem of flooding and erosion.

All past efforts at addressing this sore had ended in a fiasco, as much of the works was badly done by local contractor.

A good number of those who held sway as governor and public office-holders in the state during the locust era of the military and the current civil rule did their best.

At the inception of his administration on May 29, 2015, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode promised the Epe citizenry that his administration would give attention to the challenges of wresting Epe from infrastructural decay, flooding and erosion identified as the loudest sources of misery to the inhabitants of the town.

Although not many of people believed the governor then, he has commenced a process in earnest to remove the shameful scar of rot from the town.

In the past 15 months now, Epe residents have witnessed the noticeable impacts of governmental presence. The loudest indication of Ambode’s determination to fulfill his promise to make Epe town a modern metropolis is the new face of the city centre popularly referred to as Lagos Road/Aiyetoro/Ita-Opo Road, Papa, Agric and other major roads in Epe Local Government Area of the state.

The seriousness of the exercise is underscored by the fact that the government has demolished structures that were erstwhile referred to as “untouchable.” These are structures that belong to very powerful institutions, the wealthy and the influential class in the state and Federal Government.

The determination of the administration to enforce total compliance with the government’s right of way and expansion of major roads to give the town a face lift is clearly indicated by the successful demolition of banks structures at Aiyetoro, a side view of one of the eatery in the town, Royal Treat partially affected in Ita-Opo.

Even Epe town hall also affected. For the first time in Epe, several people who had exploited the weakness of previous administrations to encroach on the right of way got the message and decided to embark on the expected corrective step of vacating the area.

All the people whose houses are being pulled down by the government for the road reconstructions and expansions along Lagos Road/Aiyetoro/Ita-Opo road would be adequately compensated.

• Ademola Orunbon, a public affairs analyst, wrote in from Epe, Lagos State.