If the news reaching us is anything to go by, then Ikorodu division is set to witness the long awaited and anticipated development as the Lagos State Government is said to have indicated its readiness to deliver the Ikorodu sub-region master plan as the proposed development plan for the division reached Stage Three of the Draft on Friday, August 19, 2020.
This is by no means a cheering news for the people of the division, who have been longing for the execution of the development plan due to the exponential population increase, which has continued to overstretch the few available infrastructure in the area.
Speaking during the technical presentation of the master plan by the Town Planning consultants, Cityscape Planning Services, at the Nigeria Institute of Town Planning House, CBD, Alausa, Ikeja, the Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, said that, when completed, the Master plan would address physical planning challenges brought about by the growth of the sub-region over the years.
He explained that the Ikorodu sub-region Masterplan, like all others, is essential in curbing the haphazard and unplanned developments in the area, adding that the masterplan would drive socio – economic growth in the sub-region for the next 20 years as well as guide present and future development of the region.
“The masterplan will bring about an organized, orderly, livable and sustainable environment, where adequate consideration is given to social infrastructural, sustainable housing, interconnectivity and functional transportation system, drainage and environmental management, among others.”
Noting that the plan has reached stage three of the draft, which precedes preparation of the final master plan, having gone through the interim and baseline report stages, he urged members of the Technical Committee drawn from different ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to go through the report and ensure its compatibility with the recommendation they had given in line with their respective mandates.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development, Mr. Ganiyu Adele Ayuba, expressed his satisfaction with the progress made so far towards preparing the Ikorodu sub-region masterplan, saying that the relevance of such plans to the development of the state informed the Ministry’s strategic role in the achievement of the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Arc. Foluso Dipe, enjoined members of the Technical Committee from MDAs to view their inputs in the masterplan vigorously as there could be no meaningful plan without proper scrutiny.
The Chief Executive Officer, Cityscape Planning Services, Mr. Niyi Odetoye, said that as part of stage three, the Ikorodu sub-region master plan would go through a 28-day public presentation in the nine catchment Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas, after which the final report, which would have incorporated all comments and observations, will be presented for the State Government’s validation.
The Ikorodu Sub-region masterplan covers Local Governments (LGs) and Local Council Development Areas, (LCDAs) such as, Ikosi Ejinrin, Igbogbo/Baiyeku, Imota, Ikorodu North, Ikorodu West, Agboyi-Ketu, Ijede, Ikosi – Isheri and Ikorodu central