The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Ibadan North West/Ibadan South West Federal Constituency, Hon. Samson Opeyemi Fatola, has donated solar-powered street lights to Akuro Community in the Olorunsogo area of Ibadan, Oyo State, as part of efforts to improve security and enhance the welfare of residents.
The multimillion-naira project was inaugurated on Tuesday amid commendation from community leaders and residents, who described the intervention as a timely response to years of infrastructural neglect.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Chairman of Akuro Community, Mr Adekunle Abisogin Bada, said the donation had restored hope to residents, noting that successive politicians had visited the community with promises that were never fulfilled.
According to him, Fatola distinguished himself by returning within days of his visit to execute the project.
“Many politicians have come to this community and made promises that were never fulfilled. We have suffered neglect for years, but Hon. Fatola came here, made a promise and fulfilled it within a very short time. We are grateful for this gesture,” Bada said.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of the community, Alfa Mutiu Olasinde, said the installation of the solar-powered street lights would go a long way in addressing insecurity in the area.
He recalled that Fatola visited the community on Sunday to inspect its challenges and returned three days later to commence the installation of the lights.
“We told him our greatest challenge was insecurity because of the darkness in the community, and he responded immediately. This is uncommon among politicians, and we appreciate him for keeping his word,” Olasinde stated.
A resident, Mrs Elizabeth Oladosu, described Fatola as a compassionate leader, recalling that he had previously supported members of the community through educational assistance and free eye care services.
She expressed confidence that he would attract more development to the constituency if elected into the House of Representatives.
Another resident, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Raji, also lauded the intervention, saying he had heard about Fatola’s philanthropic activities long before witnessing them in his community.
Addressing the gathering, Fatola said the solar-powered street lights represented only the beginning of developmental projects planned for communities across the federal constituency.
He explained that he decided to intervene after visiting the area and observing the poor state of infrastructure, particularly the inadequate lighting that had exposed residents to security risks.
According to him, the recent killing of a resident in the community underscored the urgent need for improved security measures.
The PDP candidate disclosed plans to install two Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in the community to strengthen surveillance and complement the efforts of security agencies in tackling crime.
He also pledged to facilitate the reconstruction of the community’s deteriorating bridge through constituency projects if elected into the National Assembly.
Fatola lamented what he described as years of neglect of communities on the outskirts of Ibadan, insisting that every part of the constituency deserved access to basic infrastructure and quality representation.
He assured residents that similar interventions would be extended to all the 23 wards in the constituency, adding that the projects executed so far had been funded from his personal resources.
“I have never held public office or managed government funds. Everything I have done for the people has come from my personal resources because I believe leadership is about service. By the grace of God, if elected, I will combine public resources with personal commitment to deliver more dividends of democracy to our people,” he said.
Residents at the event expressed optimism that the intervention would improve security, boost economic activities and enhance the overall quality of life within the community.