The Lagos State Government has declared that the Badagry Development Master Plan will not in any way be compromised in view of the economy viability of the axis and its importance to the growth of the state economy.

The State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Anifowoshe Abiola, made the declaration on Thursday while speaking at a Stakeholders’ Forum themed “Keying into Benefits of City Development for Urban Sustainability” at Ojo Town Hall. The meeting was attended by professionals in the building industry, traditional rulers, members of Community Development Associations, artisans, market men and women in Ojo area of the state.

Tpl. Abiola said the State Government will continue to pursue the development plans of Badagry and Ojo in order to open up the axis for more government presence as well as improve the welfare and wellbeing of residents in the area.

He pointed out that Lagos, unlike any other city in the country, requires adequate planning considering its limited landmass and its ever increasing population which is considered to be growing faster than that of the states of New York and Los Angeles in the United States of America.

Earlier, the General Manager of Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), Tpl. Toyin Abdul, said that it is in view of the strategic location of Badagry that the State Government embarked on the expansion of Lagos-Badagry Expressway into ten lanes, including BRT lanes, as well as the provision of Light Rail.

He emphasised that the developmental plan for the area will pave the way for more key projects such as Alaba New Mixed Development Area, Alaba International Market (Electronics), Linear Park Stations and upgrading of various schools in Ojo and its environs. Tpl. Abdul added that other upgrades will include health facilities and waterfront development in addition to the proposed Deep Sea Port and Refinery for the area.

He underscored the need for public involvement in every segment of planning, hence the periodic stakeholders’ forum as an avenue for public participation and stakeholders’ involvement in the entire developmental plan.

“Achieving sustainable physical development requires collective and active participation of residents, Community Development Associations, Real Estate Property Developers, Land owners, traditional rulers, and professionals in the built industry as well as functionaries at State and Local Government levels. These interactive forums are necessary for successful implementation of physical development plans, planning laws and regulations so that collectively we can protect and safeguard our environment,” the LASPPPA General Manager said.

Tpl. Abdul noted that the development and transformation of Isashi, a suburb of Ojo area of the state, is proposed for 2016, he maintained that the development of Ajangbadi in the same area is still on course. He stressed that the intention of government for these areas is to guide against haphazard development and also assist land owners in making economic fortune on their holdings.

The LASPPPA General Manager decried the low submission of building plans in Ojo and its environs since the beginning of the year, saying that out of the 1,301 building plans application received since January 2015 only 15 of such applications came from Ojo and its environs.

While affirming that this statistics does not match the building and construction works going on in this area, Abdul promised that issues militating against having adequate planning in place for the area like Global Acquisition, Title Documents, Land Regularization, Excised villages, Layout Approval and Development Guide Plan were being looked into.

•Photo shows Tpl. Anifowoshe Abiola.

Update news