*** Sanwo – Olu assures of planned development
The Lagos State Government on Wednesday presented Land Allocation letters to 98 villages within Ito – Omu and other communities in Sangotedo and Ibeju Lekki area of the State.
The allocation letters were presented to leaders of each village by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo – Olu, during a ceremony held at the Ito – Omu Link Bridge, Sangotedo, Lagos.
The presentation of the allocation letters was as a result of the Lagos State Government’s acquisition of 16, 300 hectares of land in Ito – Omu and other communities through the New Towns Development Authority ( NTDA ) to develop and maintain several developmental schemes to take care of the housing needs and other developmental activities of the citizens.
Speaking at the allocation letters presentation, Governor Sanwo – Olu said the government decides to ensure that the growth of Ito – Omu and all its neighbouring communities is not just accidental but a planned, purposeful and people – centred development.
Governor Sanwo – Olu in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile said the initiative is geared toward building not only a new development, but communities in which people can live with dignity, do business, and their business thrive for future generations.
He said: “The future of Lagos cannot be built on unplanned expansion. It must be built on deliberate planning, appropriate infrastructure, secure communities and opportunities for our people to prosper.
“This is why the development plan for Ito – Omu and adjoining communities is so important. It provides a framework for guiding growth in rapidly developing part of Lagos, ensuring that residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and recreation land uses are properly integrated, so that infrastructure can be efficiently provided, investment can flourish, and residents can enjoy a better quality of life.
This is fully consistent with the vision of our THEME + Agenda and our commitment to building a Lagos that is more inclusive, resilient, sustainable and globally competitive.
“As Lagos continued to expand and attract people, businesses and investment, we must ensure their growth is not simply about how much we build, but how well we plan, how fairly we develop, and how many people we carry along. That is the real significance of today’s ceremony.
Governor Sanwo – Olu in the statement said his administration is committed to ensuring that planning brings better infrastructure, greater security of tenure, new economic opportunities and improving living conditions while respecting the heritage and identify that the communities have preserved over generations.
He urged the beneficiaries to continue to work with the Government and the relevant agencies to ensure that the development of the communities is orderly, sustainable and beneficial to the present and future generations.
Governor Sanwo – Olu also commended the Lands Bureau, the New Towns Development Authority, the Office of the State Surveyor – General, the consulting firms and all other stakeholders whose professionalism, patience and commitment have brought to the current stage.
“Let me also make it clear that the presentation of these letters is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of new phase in which planning must translate into tangible development. We will continue to work towards opening up these communities with better road access, improved drainage and social infrastructure, while the planned Ito – Omu Waterfront Jetty will strengthen connectivity and ease movement of our people.
These are the kinds of interventions that will turn this plan from a document into a living, thriving community, creating new opportunities for investment, employment and improved living conditions.
“I congratulate all the beneficiaries and stakeholders on this important milestone, I assure you that the development of Ito – Omu, the surrounding communities will be orderly in design, secure in tenure, rich in opportunity,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau, Mr. Kamal Olowosago, appreciated the villagers for sacrificing their lands for developmental projects in Lagos for the benefit of residents, which would also open up the axis to improve socio – economic activities.
Responding to the government’s gesture on behalf of ninety – eight beneficiaries villages, Onibeju of Ibeju – Lekki Oba Razak Olasunkanmi, appealed to the Lagos State Government to ensure the New Towns comprises both commercial and residential buildings to enhance connectivity among the villages, while advocating the establishment of a Technical College in Ibeju – Lekki axis for their children and wards.
The statement concluded that some of the beneficiary villages include Orufun, Agadangba, Oko – Ikeji, Okun – Abe, Abegede, Idi – Ori, Anikansogbo, Anwoye Oke, Anwoye Ebute, Ladaba Ebute, Idi Afun, Oguntedo, Megun, Isani, Ipesu, Arapagi Lotu, Ibon Ito – Omu, Ladaba, Dango, Oregun, Ladega and Ladaba Oke – Odo among others.
