Bracing up for its goal of transforming Lagos metropolis into a megacity, the Lagos authorities have begun moves to construct two new shopping complexes under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme.
The complexes known as Ikorodu Regional Plaza and Ikeja Shopping Plaza will soon be kick-started, as the Ministry of Justice has already prepared a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU for the parties to endorse.
Similarly, senior officials of the government disclosed last weekend that the delay in relocating Mile 12 foodstuff market in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State to Parafa, in Ikorodu Local government was as a result of an encroachment on the proposed land by illegal developers, adding that discussion is still on between the government and the private investors.
Speaking at the annual Ministerial Press Briefing, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Bolaji Francisca Abosede, a town planner, said government is not unmindful of the need for urgent completion of the relocation exercise, especially, in view of the chaotic traffic situation along the Ketu-Ikorodu axis of Lagos State.
He said, the completion of the first phase of the exercise, which is the demolition of Ajelogo/Akanimodo, a sprawling slum directly opposite Mile 12 market underscore the seriousness that government attached to the exercise.
The Commissioner noted that the design of the site has been completed since 2005, adding that it is being prepared for possession by the would-be private investors. “The only problem we are facing now is to find solution to the problem of encroachment in a way that it would not create problem to the host communities, who directly or indirectly involved in the encroachment issue”, said Abosede, adding that other delay has to do with infrastructural provisions such as road and water supply, among others.
Apart from the relocation of the market, Abosede said other project that is on top of agenda of government is also the relocation of Okobaba Sawmillers.
He said the initial thinking that government can effectively carry out these relocation exercise were proved wrong by the current economic reality and the general changes in the global economies, that dictates the involvement of private public partnerships as the most effective ways of getting things done.
Abosede, while highlighted some achievements of the ministry, especially, in the areas of physical planning and urban development said under the period, the Lagos State Model City Development Law was enacted and the State Urban and Regional Planning law 2010 signed into law on July 2010. “The new law of 2010 had variously emphasised, the establishment of the Lagos State Building Control Authority and also the reformation of the Ministry and its agencies”, noting that the aim was to firm up all extant regulations on building control to ensure more professionalism on the part of staff, quality of building and wilful compliance with physical planning and building control regulations throughout the state.
On development matters, the Commissioner said the ministry has intensified efforts in the processing of Layout Plans on private and government land, preparation of Development Guide on Excised areas as well as Monitoring of Private Layout Development.
Other activities carried out during the year included determination of alignment and delivery of Right of Way of Roads (ROWR), under construction and those under construction, rehabilitation and/or expansion, removal of encumbrances on the alignment of roads, successful organisation of World Habitat Day celebrations and effective participation and pivotal role in the annual Housing Fair.
He said further that the ministry has paid greater attention to the review of policy guidelines on the preparation and development of planning schemes, land reclamation, environmental conservation/preservation, forest research, development of petrol stations, banks, eatery locations and places of worship, while he noticed the ministry’s efforts in development permits.
“More efforts and emphasis are placed on speedier building permit process being championed by the governor. The Ministry, being the sole agency in the management and issuance of Development Permit is poised to embrace the ongoing reforms and is determined to actualise the objectives behind the reforms”.
Source: The Guardian Nigeria