Zero Project Allocation to Ilara, Residents Call out Sen. Yayi on Neglect after Election

“Pls don’t amputate us sir”! community rep. pleads;

“I’m ready to serve you all, be patient with me”, Yayi replies

by Deolu Bravo

The residents of Ilara Yewa under the umbrella of the indigenous people’s forum- Itsiwaju Ilara have called on Sen. Solomon Adeola Olamilelan Yayi to consider the welfare of Ilara people in the allocation of projects across the senatorial district.

Sen. Yayi currently represents the people of Ilara and the entire Ogun West Senatorial District- after his victory at the 2023 polls, in which he ported as a senator from Lagos West to Ogun West.

During his campaign and manifesto, Sen. Yayi was said to have promised the Ogun West people to represent their welfare and to fairly allocate constituent projects in a way that benefits all constituents.

A document received by CmNews shows that Ilara-Idofa axis of the constituency have no single projects allocation despite over 60 projects going round the Ogun West district, and about 9 being cited in Imeko- Afon LGA.

These projects cut across distribution of electricity transformer, building of classrooms, cassava processing centre, ICT centres, health facilities, local road construction, multipurpose hall and drainages.

While the people appreciate the senator for his efforts in improving the region, there is a strong call to make it equitable, such that certain segments of the district are not amputated from the rest of the district.

We have been promised before, but nothing happened

Speaking on the matter, the President of Itesiwaju Ilara a socio-development forum for Indigenous people of Ilara – Very Rev. Joseph Bankole said the Senator during his campaign in the area has earlier pledged a sum of N10M to aide the installation of electricity transformer for the people, but that the pledge was not redeemed, however the people had hope for some succor in the project allocation.

“But we are now very disappointed and it made our situation worse and depressing because, the neglect has continued for many years from both the state government and the legislatures, it is as if we are being entirely cut out. “We are begging, don’t amputate us from the rest of the district” He said.

It will be recalled that Community News reported earlier that the town is going through a difficult time of installing a new monarch 42 months after the demise of late Oba Samuel Alabi Adeluyi.

Other members of the town who spoke said that zero project allocation to Ilara appears to be that they (Ilara people) are being kicked and dragged when they are down and at their lowest moment due to the issue of ‘Obaship’ which has thrown the entire town in uncertainty.

It was said that the people of the area need a leader like Sen. Yayi the most, for strong assurances during their difficult time and look forward to inclusion and a hand of love from both politicians and the neighbouring communities.

Yayi Replies

Responding to this, Senator Yayi through his media aide Mr. Kayode Odunaro assured the people of Ilara that he has plans for Ilara town and that some of the projects such as ICT centre and others have not been decided for any location at the moment and plans are ongoing that will favour the people of Ilara and the rest of Ogun West.

 Odunaro added that the senator has only being in office for four months and has started projects as many as over 60, which is an indication of the hundreds of project that is yet to come to Ogun West through the Senator as events unfold.

“The Senator is ready to serve everyone, including Ilara people, it is a process and Ilara town is in the plan” Odunaro said.