By Moses Adeniyi
The Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has extended Development Plans to 30 Communities, spread across different Local Government Areas of the State.
The extension it was gathered was designed according to the need to ensure that no part of the State is without a Plan.
According to report gathered, Communities which have had their Local/Action Plans so prepared are: Lafiaji Action Area Plan (2021-2031) in Eko District; Abule Oja Action Area Plan (2021-2031); Ajiwe Action Area Plan(2021-2031); Review of Maiyegun and Action Area Plan of an Extension to Aparakaja Casia/Abiodun Dada.
It was gathered that the Ministry also undertook the Review of Ojodu Core Action Area Plan and prepared Ilo Awela Community Action Area Plan, Igbogbo Core Action Area Plan and Ologunebi Excised Village Action Area Plan as well as Shasha Oguntade Action Area Plan and Ladipo Osoro Action Area Plan among others.
The benefits accruable from the Plans include the effective control and proper development guide within its jurisdiction;
functional land use pattern and arrangements; good road networks while urban regeneration of the slum environment would be achieved.
Other benefits are the provision of enabling environment for category of land uses, such as industrial, commercial, institutional and residential as well as investments in a sustainable manner.
The State’s Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, on Thursday at the ongoing Ministerial Press Briefing to commemorate two years of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led Administration stated that the Ministry prepared Local/Action Plans for the Communities through the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA).
According to the Commissioner, the State would derive maximum benefits from the preparation of the Action Area Plans.
The Commissioner also explained that the Development Plans would bring about the provision of quality infrastructural developments within the planned area and guarantee a sustainable physical environment during the stipulated planning period.
He added that in pursuit of the THEMES Agenda, the Ministry also prepared Development Guide Plans for some Excised Villages in the State.
“In same vein and with due cognition of the need to extend physical planning administration to Non-Schemed Areas, Development Guide Plans are being prepared to make the Excised Villages more sustainable,” he said
According to the Commissioner, Development Guide Plans (DGP) were prepared for such Villages in different Local Government Areas of the State as, Onimedu Eleputu, Lakowe, Adeba, Bogije, Igando-Oja and Awoyaya in Ibeju-Lekki L.G.A; Ajangbadi, Kemberi and Ketu Ijanikin in Ojo L.G.A; Parafa and Gberigbe in Ikorodu L.G.A and; Sangotedo and Langbasa in Eti-Osa LGA.
Development Guide Plans were also extended to Suberu-Oje in Alimosho L.G.A; Apa (Parcel A) in Badagry LGA; Ibowon in Epe L.G.A and; Tedi in Amuwo-Odofin LGA.
Meanwhile, the State Government has disclosed its plans to regenerate Otto and Otumara slum communities in the Mainland axis of the State.
It was gathered that the development would result to preservation and conservation of ecologically sensitive land spaces such as Buffer Zones, Earth Drain, Floodplains and waterfronts as well as the creation of new viable Economic Activity Centres, including residential-led mixed use.
According to the Commissioner, the move, which is in line with the THEMES Agenda, would culminate in the creation of a new Micro City with better urban aesthetics and vibrancy in Otto and Otumara.
He mentioned that the creation of a Micro City in those locations would complement the proposed revamping of the National Arts Theatre by the Federal Government, through the CBN-led Committee of Bankers.
Salako stated that the Micro City would be delivered with the upgrade of existing socio-economic amenities like hospitals/clinics, schools, market, water main others, which according to him, would be upgraded in site.