LASG engages communities on land use plan
By Owoleye Oluwakayode
The Lagos State Government has held a stakeholders’ meeting on the preparation of the Land Use Plan for Ito-Omu and its adjoining communities located in the North-Eastern part of the State and strategically controlled by Ibeju-Lekki and Epe Local Government Areas.
Speaking at the meeting, the Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. (Dr.) Idris Salako, stated that the State Government, as part of its strategies to decongest the metropolis, is ready to bring development to Ito-Omu and its environs.
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is very committed to this project and he wants different infrastructural projects to be sited here such as roads, drainages, schools and other social amenities in order to further upscale the infrastructural deficit in the State, most especially in the rural communities to bring more investment that will create employment for our teaming youths,” he said.
Tpl. Salako assured members of the communities that the government will take care of all their interests while the projects are being implemented, adding that the State also intends to build a jetty to enhance transportation for members of the communities.
Contributing, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Engr. Abiola Kosegbe, harped on the importance of planning in physical development as a guarantee for an orderly society.
She, therefore, called for the cooperation of stakeholders to ensure that the plan is well implemented, noting that non-adherence to the State Government’s Development Plan will bring haphazard development to the area.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Surveyor-General, Surv. Olutomi Sangowawa, advised the Ito-Omu community members to be wary of fake surveyors that dangle juicy carrots before them, urging them to be patient and ensure they get the necessary land information from recognised government officials when the need arises.
Speaking on the details of the plan, the General Manager, New Towns Development Authority (NTDA), Tpl. Olakunle Aboyeji, stated that the proposed Land Use Plan is in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of Making Lagos A 21st Century Economy and a Smart City with satellite towns that will facilitate the development of the rural areas.
His words: “The proposed planned area comprises 21 villages, delineated by Omu Creek to the southern and western boundaries on the northern part by Lagos Lagoon and the eastern side by other rural communities. It stretches from Arapagi to Ito-Omu, covering about 6299.9 hectares, with an estimated population of over 6000 people.”
“It has a built-up area of about 8.3% while the undeveloped part covers an area of 6130.3 hectares (91.7%) of the total area. The villages located in the area include Ito-Omu, Abegede, Agadangba, Anikansogbo, Anwoye, Anwoye Ebute, Arapagi, Dongo, Ibon, Oko Keji, Oregun and Orofu among others,” he added.
Affirming the commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to promoting large scale physical developments, especially in the local communities, the General Manager declared that the project is in fulfilment of the promise of an ‘all-inclusive government’ by Mr. Governor at the inception of the present administration towards exploring and developing the socio-economic potentials of Ito-Omu and surrounding villages.
The Oba of Ito-Omu, His Royal Majesty, Oba Taiwo Gbadamosi, expressed his support as well as that of the members of the community for the project and appreciated the Government for bringing development and other social infrastructure to the area. He, however, requested that the Government should protect the interest of the people and not leave the community leaders behind in the implementation.
The Chairman of the Council of Baales, High Chief Nureni Sikiru Alugbe, appealed to the Government to provide access roads and build schools for the communities while the CDA Chairman, Zone C, Eyin-Osa, Mr. Suluka Rasaq Ishola, also said that Ito-Omu and adjoining communities are anxious for the intervention of the State Government, assuring that the zone will ensure the success of the project.
