Over thirty elderly residents of Abesan Low Cost Housing Estate in Mosan-Okunola on Tuesday stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly complex, protesting against the rising insecurity in the Estate as well as the dilapidated infrastructure in the community.
The protesters who were mostly retirees of the Lagos State Government were chanting various protest songs, while armed with placards of various inscriptions.
Some of the inscriptions read: “Sanwo-Olu, intervene in our situation. Abesan Estate has become an eyesore.
Others include: “Our hearts bleed; Drug peddlers, robbers now terrorising us on a daily basis.”
Earlier, President of the Abesan Estate Residents Association (AERA), Elder M.A.O Kehinde who led the protesters, said the Estate which used to be a pride of Lagos state and its people have become an eyesore with dilapidated roads and no feasible sign of government presence despite its iconic role.
“All our roads are in deplorable conditions and the only health centre servicing the whole estate has been abandoned for years and not functioning fully.
“We have written so many letters, and followed up, yet there is no solution. Hence the need for us to cry out for help from his Excellency Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, using your good office to expedite actions.
He said insecurity has also become a major issue in the Estate because of the porous nature of the community.
According to him, residents have lost count of numbers when robbers have invaded the estate and carted away their properties.
“Between October and November 2023 alone, we have recorded dozens of burglaries, even the fire service office in the estate was attacked and vehicles parked within the premises vandalized,” he added.
Another elder and former president of the Estate, Mr. Bisola Ogunyanwo, said the security situation is so pathetic and unbearable.
“It has degenerated to a level where everybody is vulnerable to attack and injuries. Residents are being threatened physically, psychologically, emotionally and economically. Nobody can sleep with his or her eyes closed.
He also stated that the main gate leading into the Estate has been converted to a motor park by the LCDA contrary to the plans of the Estate.
“Non-residents of the estate have turned the main gate of the estate to motor parks where commercial motorcyclists now hold sway without any recourse to residents of the Estate.”
Addressing the protesters on behalf of the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, Hon. Hon.Fatai Mojeed (Chief Whip) from ibeju Lekki 01, urged them to remain calm and be peaceful, promising that the House would address their grievances.
Hon. Mojeed who was accompanied by Hon. Oladele Ajayi Ibeju Lekki 02 and Hon. Olayinka Kazeem Esho Mushin 02, said the protest letter will be delivered to the appropriate quarters and necessary steps will be taken to expedite actions on their petition.
“I am here on behalf of the Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, and I will assure you that your petition will be treated with urgency. The House of Assembly is your House and you voted us to protect your interest and you can be rest assured that your interest will be protected,” Hon. Mojeed assured.
“You can have the best of assurance that this matter will be looked into critically by the House. I can assure you that very soon, you will get a favorable response and all I can tell you now is that we should be law -abiding and we should not take laws into our hands,” he said.
