The Victoria Island and Ikoyi Residents Association (VIIRA) on Sunday threw its weight behind the intention of the Akinwunmi Ambode administration to Clean- Up Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island, describing it as long overdue and a welcome development.
The position of the umbrella body of all the residents and property owners in the highbrow areas was stated by a member of the association, who is also a retired civil servant, Dr Mohammed Salami in an interview with newsmen, after a meeting with the Clean- Up Committee.
Dr Salami said the association wholeheartedly supports the move which it has been waiting for, for quite a while, stating that it is a very good step in which all the members of the residents association would be participating.
“The position of VIIRA is very clear, we support this move. In fact, this is a move we have been waiting for, for a long time. One of the reasons why VIIRA was started was because of the environmental aspect. We are very particular about the environmental aspect of Victoria Island and Ikoyi and we want action on the part of government”.
“In addition, let me state emphatically that VIIRA as an association is in support of this step. It is a good step, we welcome it and we are giving full support. That is why our members are all participating”, Dr Salami said.
He advised residents of the areas to be ready to cooperate with the State Government by allowing the special committee to embark on the task at hand, saying: “It is in our own interest and at the end of the day, we shall benefit. So nobody should put obstacle in the way of the task force that is going to carry out the exercise”.
“The exercise is going to be a continuous one; it is not going to stop as long as we have the problem. It is in the interest of the people, it would also improve the health of the residents and the security of everybody within the area”.
“It is going to also improve the economic aspect of the area. It is going to attract more people to Victoria Island and Ikoyi and businessmen would be happy to work in a very secure and clean environment”
“The aesthetic aspect of Ikoyi and Victoria Island is also very vital. This is an area that everybody believes is a most sophisticated area in Lagos and Nigeria and which should lead by example. A very clean place, it could be as clean as Dubai and that is what we aim at”, he reiterated.
Also speaking with newsmen, the Executive Secretary of Victoria Island and Ikoyi Security and Environment Trust- the operative arm of VIIRA, Abdul Lateef Muse, said the association was not looking at a onetime exercise but a continuous exercise adding that it was possible that a number of corporate institutions would also have a buy-in and on their own take some other initiatives that would support the action that is just about to start.
“The VIIRA Trust works very collaboratively with the Police and it is a good thing we are also a part of the committee of government. The attempt here will deepen the cooperation and ensure that whatever information comes out, we share it around the members of the residents association”, Muse added.
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