Lagos, Ibeju-Lekki communities parley over development plan

 

In line with the physical planning law, which specifies ‘bottom-up approach’ i n  land matters, Lagos State Government last week held talks with the homeowners and residents within Ibeju-Lekki to ensure its development plan for the area becomes a reality.

The  sensitization meeting, held at the Igando Oloja’s Headquarters of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government (LGA), attracted government officials, drawn from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPPUD), and its agencies that included the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPA); Lagos State Building Control Board (LABSCA); and Lagos State Urban Renewal Authority (LASURA); the leading traditional rulers from the community and local government officials among others.

The meeting, aimed at sensitizing the community members of the government’s plan for the area designated as “Future of Lagos”, unfolded where major infrastructure, amenities and other facilities are to be located. The meeting also was meant to avail the residents and land owners their responsibilities and obligations in the scheme of development in the axis.

Besides, it was also intended to know the requirements that would allow the landowners possessed the landed properties government excised to them, which was one of the crucial points of discussion.

Among major infrastructure proposed for the area,according to the Director of Development Matters, LASPPPA, Mr. Ayo Adediran include the International Airport, which land has been earmarked for its several components; light rail, International Conference Centre; Access roads; Coaster Road from Goshen Estate to the Free Trade Zone end; Right of Way (ROA), for installations of power equipment, among others.

Besides, Adediran mentioned that there are areas carved out for private estate developments, schools, hospitals, bridge that would link Ibeju Lekki to Itoikin, a community along Ijebu-Ode-Epe Road, and other public institutions.

He said the clarification became necessary in order to avoid illegal development that may result into demolition on one hand and also to intimate the people with the overall development plans in the face of allegation of unauthorized land transactions that has become prevalent in the area.

Speaking at the meeting,, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development , Mr. Olutoyin Ayinde, while appealing for conformity with physical planning law, noted that government wanted to avoid a situation by which people would fall into the wrong hand of the law.

Ayinde informed the gathering that government was conscious of these excisions, in that they are being done in view of the overall development plan of the area. Therefore, every bit of development must be in conformity with the overall plan.

The Commissioner lamented that out of 99 excisions, only four beneficiaries have come with their layout plans.

However, community leaders who spoke at the parley alleged that the amount government is charging was beyond their control.

 A leading traditional ruler in the area,  Oba Fatai Elemoro, while asking government to reduce the fees, berated officials for acquiring a large portion of land earmarked to establish “New Lagos”, but which nothing is being done to actualize the project. 

Responding, Ayinde assured them that government would look into their complaints regarding the alleged exorbitant charges on layout and other sundry complaints.

General Manager, LASPPPA, Mr. Rotimi Toyin Abdul, a Town Planner, while emphasizing the significance of the stakeholders’ meeting noted that achieving sustainable physical development requires “bottom-up and broad based” active participation of all whose interest are affected.

According to Abdul, for successful implementation of physical development plans, planning laws and regulations, there is need to involve those that are affected and seeks their cooperation.

“We cannot afford to delay any longer. We must not wait and watch. What are today’ slums were yesterday’s neglect and inactions. Let us learn to plan before building and build in conformity with physical development plans, planning and urban development laws and regulations put in place by government”, Abdul counseled.