Afrigather After 30 years of poor entry to water, residents of Ikeja communities in Lagos lastly heaved a sigh of reduction as they got here out in numbers to rejoice the 2 newly commissioned water borehole methods.
For these residents, these water borehole methods will improve entry to secure water, sufficient sanitation and correct hygiene, amongst others.
One of many ladies and residents of Gani Agura, Alia Adewale, recounted sadly how she and different ladies travelled miles away to entry water for laundry, cooking, cleansing, and ingesting.
Adewale added: “We have now been affected by lack of water for a few years. We go about looking for water from distant, carrying gallons.
“However this man, Kunle Kosile, stunned us in simply two weeks. At the moment, water is near us. I’m very comfortable,” she mentioned.
Based on Olakunle Kosile, the SDP candidate for the Home of Meeting in Ikeja Constituency 1, he constructed and commissioned the water borehole according to the UN Sustainable Growth Purpose (SDG) 6 which harps on water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Kosile additional expressed readiness for selfless service on the commissioning of the borehole methods at Onilekere and Johnson communities in Ikeja.
He instructed journalists, “I got here via the group, Johnson and Onilekere, just a few months in the past and realised that it’s an eyesore. The folks instructed me one in every of their main issues travelling a protracted distance to entry water.
“It simply reveals how ineffective our illustration inside this space has been over time. Regardless of being near the airport, minimal infrastructural growth isn’t in place.”
Via his OK Motion initiative, a non-political platform, Kosile constructed the borehole water for the group. For him, “It’s not nearly taking part in politics; I’m a businessman who’s in politics. Past this, we are going to do extra. We are going to hold empowering the native communities.”
The College of Wales graduate outlined different plans underway for the youth, the aged, pregnant ladies and youngsters.
“The OK Motion isn’t a political platform. We’re engaged on find out how to empower and enhance our native communities.
“First, we now have created the OK Job Centre the place folks in the neighborhood have their resumés and abilities. Then we create visibility for them on a much bigger scale,” he mentioned.
Kosile highlighted some medical providers for the residents. “I met with some medical docs and nurses for an additional two to 3 hours of free providers for the residents all without spending a dime. We wish to serve the folks, community your entire space and produce synergy to them,” he emphasised.
Sylvester Njemanze, a resident, mentioned: “This gesture requires celebration.”
Based on him, “Life has been very tough with out potable water. Mr. Kunle simply got here right here and put up a borehole for us identical to that. We consider that when he will get there, he’ll do extra.”
He, nevertheless, recounted how all of the water services have been destroyed over 30 years in the past when the Ikeja categorical street was being constructed. “We have now been left with no water since then,” he bemoaned.
He appealed to Kosile to provide their youth a foot within the door. “We have now a variety of gifted youths looking for a spot to do sports activities. We have now gifted guys who make furnishings. They wrestle to promote their items. But when we see somebody who can converse for the folks then it is going to be okay.”
Adekunle Olarenwaju, one other resident and furnishings maker, expressed nice shock. “I’m stunned. We have now suffered with out water for a really very long time. We used to go and fetch water from the third avenue.
“Kosile got here right here only a month in the past and he stunned us after he promised us. In two weeks, he gave us two borehole methods,” he mentioned.
Usang Emmanuel is the Freeway Patrol Barracks GRA Youth Chief. He narrated how every week after Kosile got here to talk with the youth on the barracks in December, he empowered about 20 youths with jobs and the ladies obtained abilities acquisition.
“We additionally hope to assist mitigate drug abuse and social vices among the many youth and create extra jobs and different alternatives for them,” he famous.
Learn additionally: Water scarcity hits Lokoja, govt begs for residents’ patience
In the meantime, residents of Opebi have additionally pleaded for entry to potable water. Yusuf Olugbile, the Youth President of Opebi, mentioned, “We additionally want no less than two borehole methods in our group”.
Kosile, an astute businessman and realtor, says he has rolled up his sleeves to drive sustainable financial and job progress within the Ikeja 1 LGA with or with out authorities funding.
He hopes to enhance entry to healthcare service deliveries with or with out authorities funding whereas additionally enhancing native enterprise via market participation and improved entry to know-how for digital development amongst others.
