Ibadan master plan will address estimated 11.3 million population —Oyo govt

Plans by the Oyo State government to accommodate the 11.3 million estimated population of Ibadan, the state capital by 2036 are contained in the Ibadan master plan.

Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Physical Planning and Urban development, Alhaji Waheed Gbadamosi, who stated this on Tuesday, added that the master plan intended to guide development in undeveloped areas and especially provide sufficient land capacity to accommodate the anticipated population.

He however, assured that the plan would not erase existing structures and peculiar features of Ibadan, like brown roofs and it’s cultural heritage.

Gbadamosi spoke in company of state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, Special Adviser to Governor Ajimobi on Communication and Strategy, Mr Yomi Layinka and Coordinator, Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (World Bank Assisted), Mr Dayo Ayorinde.

According to Gbadamosi, the master plan to be unveiled in May 2017, was to prevent the coming up of slums,  urban squalor, poor solid waste management associated with increased pressure by human beings on existing land.

Furthermore, he stated that the plan to be implemented over the next 20 years would address haphazard development of structures, poor road and drainage networks, and vulnerability of Ibadan to natural disasters, especially flooding.

On fears that the plan could be abandoned at the expiration of the Ajimobi administration, Gbadamosi said the plan would be institutionalised through a bill to be sent to the state House of Assembly.

“The master plan intends to provide sufficient land capacity in order to accommodate the anticipated future population of Ibadan which will be 11.3 million by 2036. The job of the master plan is to guide on where to put your building. It is not a document that goes after buildings or places to demolish.”