Save Ijegun from destruction, extinction, protesters beg Sanwo-Olu, Lagos speaker

Scores of protesters from Ijegun in Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, on Monday appealed to the state Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to rescue the community from destruction.

The protesters, who stormed the Government House and Lagos State House of Assembly, both in Alausa, Ikeja, demanded compensation for victims of a recent pipeline explosion in the community.

They decried alleged security challenges facing the residents.

It was reported that the pipeline explosion occurred on July 4 at 5-Junction, Ijegun, as a result of the activities of pipeline vandals.

The explosion claimed lives and injured others.

The protesters, who included traditional chiefs, academics, market men and women, landlords and youth leaders.

They chanted solidarity songs to drive home their demands.

Theyalso scarried placards with inscriptions such as: “Thorough Investigation”, “Compensation for Victims”, “Re-dredge the Canals At Ijegun” and “We Say No To Vandals In Ijegun Community.”

The inscriptions also include: “Petrol Tankers Are Not Allowed between 10.00p. and 5.00a.m.”, “Please Save Our Souls in Ijegun Community” and “Save Ijegun from Fire Disaster and Extinction.”

Mr Wale Akinbo, the Chairman, Joint Community Development Association (CDA), Ijegun, and Mr Saliu Alade, Councilor, Ijegun Ward D, who led the protest, urged the House and the governor to intervene in their situation.

According to the duo, the House and the governor should treat the plight of residents as a matter of urgent public importance to enable them ‘to sleep with two eyes closed’.

In a communiqué signed on their behalf by Akinbo, Alade and the Secretary of Strategic Security Committee, Ijegun, Mr Oguntulu Oluwatosin, the residents called for inceeased security.

In the the communiqué differently addressed to Sanwo-Olu and the Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa the residents urged the state government to also fix roads and canals in the state.

The residents demanded deployment of security personnel around the pipeline routes especially at the 5-Junction.

They added that the government should construct barrier across the entrances of streets leading to the pipeline routes.

“That government should stop forthwith the approval of establishment of more filling stations /gas plants in Ijegun, as they are too many.

“Most of these petrol stations are concentrated in and around residential areas in Ijegun.

“Henceforth, the tanker drivers should be stopped from parking their tankers, along the pipeline routes.

“The government should construct concrete blockages around the preferred spots of the vandals, to make digging difficult and almost impossible for them,” they said.

The residents added that petrol tankers should be restricted from moving into and outside of Ijegun through both Ikotun-Ijegun road and Isolo road, between the hours of 10pm – 5am in the morning.

They requested further that the government should make arrangement for financial compensation for the victims

They added: “The government should look into the dredging of the canal that linked IBA LCDA from Awolumate Street, by Catholic Church in Ijegun, as a matter of urgency.

“The Kabiyesi and the entire people of Ijegun wish to express our profound appreciation to your Excellency, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for your prompt response toward the plight of the community.”

The communiqué said that Oba Nureni Olomitutu (Ilufemiloye), the Kudeyibu I Onijegun of Ijegun land, had inaugurated a strategic security committee anchored around the Ijegun joint CDA.

The residents said that the committee was saddled with the responsibility of brainstorming and coming up with suggestions aimed at putting an end to the activities of pipeline vandals.

Addressing the protesters on behalf of the speaker, Mr Rotimi Olowo (APC-Somolu I), commended them for peaceful conduct, saying that the House was concerned about their situation.

Olowo commiserated with Ijegun residents on the death of their neighbours through the explosion, saying that it would be important for the government to look into their requests.

The lawmaker, who was accompanied by the lawmaker representing Alimosho Constituency 1, Mr Bisi Yusuff, promised to convey their requests to the speaker.

Mr Hundeyin Kolawole, the Director, Office of Civic Engagement, who received the communiqué on behalf of Sanwo-Olu, promised the protesters that the matter would be addressed by the state government in due course.