The Lagos State Government says it is ready to bring development to Ito-Omu and its environs to decongest the 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 via a statement by Mrs Adunola Abe, the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, New Towns Development Authority, on Sunday in Lagos.
Salako was quoted as conveying the government’s plan during a stakeholders meeting held to prepare a Land Use Plan for Ito-Omu and the adjoining communities.
“Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is very committed to this project and he wants different infrastructural projects to be sited here such as roads, drainage, schools and other social amenities.
“These efforts will upscale the infrastructural deficit in the state, 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 jetties that would enhance transportation for members of the communities.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mrs Abiola Kosegbe, in a remark, emphasised the importance of planning in physical development as a guarantee for an orderly society.
Kosegbe called for the cooperation of stakeholders to ensure that the plan was well implemented, saying that 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 comprises 21 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.
The Oba of Ito-Omu, Oba Taiwo Gbadamosi, expressed 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.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Council of Baales, Chief Nureni 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, said that Ito-Omu and adjoining communities were anxious for the intervention of the State Government, assuring that the Zone would support the government to ensure the success of the project.