Lagos govt ready to bring devt to Ito-Omu to decongest metropolis– Commissioner
By Meletus EZE
The Lagos State Government says it is ready to bring development to Ito-Omu and its environs to decongest metropolis and make the communities compete with other developed cities in the world.
Ito-Omu is located in the North-Eastern part of the State and strategically positioned and controlled by Ibeju Lekki and Epe Local Government Areas.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako, disclosed this in a statement by Mrs Adunola Abe, the Assistant Director Public Affairs, New Towns Development Authority on Sunday in Lagos.
Salako, according to the statement, said that this at a stakeholders meeting held towards the preparation of Land Use Plan for Ito-Omu and the adjoining communities.
“Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is very committed to this project and he wants different infrastructutal projects to be sited here such as roads, drainages, schools and other social amenities.
“This efforts is in order to further upscale the infrastructural deficit in the state, most especially in the rural communities and bring more investment that will create employment for our teaming youths,” Salako said.
The commissioner assured the communities that Sanwo-Olu’s administration would take care of all their interests while the projects were being implemented.
He also stated that government would build jetty that would enhance transportation for members of the communities.
Also, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mrs Abiola Kosegbe, harped on the importance of planning in physical development as a guarantee for orderly society.
Kosegbe called for the cooperation of stakeholders to ensure that the plan was well implemented saying non-adherence to development plans would bring haphazard development to the area.
Also commenting, the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Surveyor General, Mr Olutomi Sangowawa advised the Ito-Omu community members to be wary of fake surveyors that dangle juicy carrots before them.
Sangowawa urged the people to be patient and ensure they got necessary land information from recognised government officials when the need arises.
Giving the details of the plan, the General Manager, New Towns Development Authority (NTDA), Mr Olakunle Aboyeji, stated that the proposed Land Use Plan was in line with the Themes Agenda of Making Lagos A 21st Century Economy and a Smart City with satellite towns that would facilitate the development of the rural areas.
“The proposed planned area comprise twenty-one villages and 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 six thousand 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 are: Ito-Omu, Abegede, Agadangba, Anikansogbo, Anwoye, Anwoye Ebute, Arapagi, Dongo, Ibon, Oko Keji, Oregun, Orofu and others,” Ayodeji said.
He affirmed the commitment Sanwo-Olu to promoting large scale physical developments, especially in the local communities.
He said that the project was in fulfilment of the promise of an ‘All-inclusive Government at the inception of the administration in order to explore and develop the socio-economic potentials of Ito-Omu and surrounding villages.
In his words, the Oba of Ito-Omu, His Royal Majesty, Oba Taiwo Gbadamosi expressed his support for the project and appreciated the government for bringing development and other social infrastructure to the area.
The Oba, however, requested that government should protect the interest of the people, while not leaving the community leaders behind.
Speaking, the Chairman of the Council of Baales, High Chief Nureni Sikiru Alugbe, urged government to provide access roads and build schools for the communities.
Mr Suluka Ishola, the Chairman, Community Development Area, Zone C, Eyin-Osa, also said that Ito-Omu and adjoining communities were anxious of the intervention of the State Government, assuring that the Zone would support the government to ensure the success of the project.
