Editorial Column
2019, Epe Division, And The Way Forward (II)
This is the 2nd part of a three part serial on the recent political development in Lagos, drawing attention to its overall implication on Epe Division:
The Agenda Going Forward.
It bears repetition that what happened to Epe is a call to action, a strident summon on sons and daughters of Epe irrespective of the political affiliation and personal prejudice to rise to the challenge.
Rather than be a cause for mourning alone, it should also be for the region, a defining moment in history, especially as 2019 general election beckons.
Epe community has always had its share of dichotomy which had always been exploited for selfish reasons .The politicians have always succeeded in defining who we are, leveraging on our real and imagined diversities to their political advantages but the emergence of Akinwunmi Ambode as the Governor of the State was a moment we have always anticipated in 2015 considering the missed opportunity during the eras of Late Dr. Femi Agbalajobi and Chief Dapo Sarumi.
It was an opportunity to dream again and aspire for prosperous community peppered with unlimited opportunities; a pathway to economic Eldorado: an opportunity to open up the division for investment opportunities: a division that have not witnessed any meaningful development since the 1967 when Epe became part of the State.Indeed, it was a dream reminiscent of the booming era of Plywood and Boatyard factories.
Ambode was our messiah, our pride, the answers to the prayers of our progenitors, a symbol of unity and peace and it wasn’t long before we started seeing signs of transformation across the division and the entire State, and our dream of becoming the economic hub of the state was revived. We concluded, and justifiably too, that the journey to the economic Eldorado has begun.
Then, suddenly, the unthinkable happened. What started as a rumor became a reality; Akinwunmi Ambode will not return for a second term. We were all deflated; bruised and wounded .The entire community was left gasping for air wondering what the future holds.
It wasn’t quite long after this debacle when we realized that ongoing constructions works in Epe division had been stopped, throwing thousands of our youth into the unemployment market. This underscored the fact that our collective dreams and aspirations for a prosperous Epe division are just as botched as AkinwunmiAmbodes 2nd term.
INDUSTRIALISED EPE
With the tempo and developmental strides already initiated by the administration, another of our conclusion was that the time to really industrialiseEpe, utilizing its strategic location, natural resources and a ready work force, was here.
For now, the only employer of labour in the entire division, less the artisan trades, is the local government, underscoring the utmost need for industries to be sited in Epe. But lo, this also became a pipe dream for the singular reason that the very anchor for the realisation of such lofty ideas had been disarmed.
LEKKI- EPE ROAD
Our hope for a dualizedLekkiEpe Road/ Eleko beach/Okun and Ise axis has been crushed.
EJINRIN ROAD
The dream of a dualizedEpe/Ejinrin/Itokin/Agbowa /OdoAyandelu to Ikorodu that should serve as a major outlet for commercial activities and link with other parts of the country has now become a pipe dream.Ketu to Itokin road has now become a death trap. Sometimes, commuters are now routed through IjebuOmu because of the deplorable state of the road.
EPE IJEBU ODE ROAD
The dream of dualizedEpe/Ijebu Ode road has been shattered!. Has anyone been to Mojoda recently? It has become impassable with vehicles somersaulting and falling in to big ditches.
EJINRIN MARKET
The dream for the restoration of Ejinrin Market to its old glory as the vital commercial market is now an illusion. I had a discussion with our elected representatives both in the House and National assembly on this issue about six months ago and I was reliably informed that Governor AkinwunmAmbode had visited the place and he actually had a plan for the iconic market.
LASU
A dream of making LASU a true citadel of learning and a world-class institution rather than an institution overgrown with bushes and overrun by dangerous snake has equally been endangered. And this needs not be with the leadership role of Lagos in the nation’s scheme of things.
EPE AS A FINAL TOURIST DESTINATION.
Also shattered is a dream of making Epe the final tourist destination in the state which was the reason for our elation when the dredging and sand-filling of arguably one of the most beautiful coastline in the country commenced in 2017.
By the master plan, after completion, it would have been comparable to the last Vegas strip and the Lake shore of the Chicago. Uncertain is the fate of the two- kilometer Marina Road with plans to extend it to Ere Ise, embellished with businesses, banks, commercial centers and high rise buildings overlooking the beautiful lagoon. The original plan is to make that axis one of the largest commercial hubs in the state with the potentials of creating thousands of jobs for our idle youths. With the halt of all construction activities in the division including the sand filling, that prospects are now bleak.
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