PROPERTY ARTICLES

Meckson Innocent Okoro, a member of Lekki Residents Association Phase 1 and estate manager, is principal partner in M.I Okoro and Co, a firm of estate surveyors and valuers. He spoke to Senior Correspondent Dada Jackson on his candidacy for the chairmanship post of the Lekki Residents’ Association Phase 1 and the need to sensitise the residents to continue to exercise their civil right. Excerpts:

What qualifies you for the chairmanship of Lekki Residents Association Phase 1?

First of all, we are talking about real estate management, managing the whole of Lekki Phase1 and that falls within my core area of competence as a professional estate manager. With that background, there is no other person that can do it better than me. If we are talking about environmental enhancement; if we are talking about liaising with the state government and New Town Development Authority (NTDA) to ensure that the roads are properly tarred and drainage put in place; if we are talking about enhancing cleanliness in the estate; if we are talking about liaising with PHCN to ensure that Lekki is given the kind of supply status it gives to VGC; if we are talking about NTDA to ensure smooth running of the estate; I am the right candidate to do all these. I am thinking about what others who have led the association have not done before like creating a new website. This will be good for the high class residents of Lekki. Even if they are in the United Kingdom or in the United States, they can just go to the website and see what is happening in the estate.

How do you see your chances and are you working with other aspirants?

There about three or more people vying for that position, but I can assure you that knowing my background, I am the only person fit for that job and any other person eyeing the office is just trying to fulfil his desire to be chairman of association without anything to show for it. I am the only person that can be call to order by his professional body if I am not able to perform but there is no reason why I cannot perform. I have what it takes to perform and I will surely deliver. On working with other aspirants, let me say that there are good aspirants for other positions in this election that will take place on November 29, 2009. My team comprises Yinka Bolarinwa for vice chairman; Lady Ann Ukpoma is running for treasurer, while Alhaji Olanrewaju Ninalowo is vying for the post of secretary general of the association, among others.

What are your aspirations when you eventually become the chairman?

When I eventually emerge as the chairman, I am going to make sure that all roads are tarred, all streets have street lights, I will make sure that, for any reason if PHCN cannot get give us 80 per cent of supply of power, I will introduce alternative energy supply to ensure that we power our street lights everyday. I will also see to it that the whole of Lekki Phase 1 becomes more beautiful with series of flowers and beautiful trees to make it look like VGC. The only difference between us and developed countries is orderliness. They also have well paved roads, tarred roads with green areas. I will also look at where to create parks, where people can go and relax, where our children can play with their friends. There is no single recreational centre in Lekki Phase 1. We will look at the possibility of liaising with the state government on where we can create a club house. Not the type we have under the high tension PHCN wire.

These things you have mentioned are very ambitious. How do you intend to realise them and what is length of the tenure of the chairman?

The tenure is two years and it is renewable for another two years but I am not interested in the renewal because anybody that is serious should be able to accomplish all I have just said within two years. There is nothing I have said here that is too ambitious; is buying poles and erecting them that is ambitious?

What of tarring of roads?

Tarring of roads is ongoing. The Lagos State Government is doing much already with the NTDA. All I have to do with them is to continuously commend them and appeal to them to increase the pace. These things are realisable. Is it plantings of flowers that will take me two years to do? By the time I get there, within the first one week, you will start seeing actions. And where, for any reason, I feel I cannot achieve it for reasons of funding, I can resolve to appeal to corporate organisations in the estate to be able help fund most of these things. Lekki has enormous good will. It bothers on if you know what you are doing know the people to target and you will be able achieve the result. I am using this opportunity to commend the Lagos State Government for the good job they have been doing in Lekki Phase 1. I want to appeal to them to support my candidature and by the grace of God, if elected, I will do everything possible to liaise with them and the ensure that even they are investing so much on the road that we will facilitate the process to make sure that we liaise with the people to do what they are suppose to do in terms of the land charges. I finally want to wish members of Lekki Residents Association merry Christmas in advance.