Lagos vows to restore Ikoyi, VI, Lekki’s original master plan

Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode,  has reiterated his government’s resolve to restore the original master plan of  Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki areas of the state.

Disclosing this in Lagos, on Tuesday, while setting up a  special committee that would implement the plan, Ambode noted that it had become imperative for his government to bring environmental sanity to  every part of the state; since it was obvious that the city’s master plan was being distorted.

Describing the state government’s resolve on the plan as non-negotiable, the governor added that his administration, through the committee, chaired by the Secretary to the State Government,  Mr Tunji Bello, would do everything  within its power to rescue the fragile environment in the state from avoidable impediments.

He noted that, over the years, there had been gross abuse of urban planning and environmental laws, a development that had made the decision to embark on a major clean-up of the environment, in order to restore it to its desired form, imperative.

Governor Ambode stated that cases of abandoned properties had become very rampant, with miscreants and criminal elements taking over  such properties as their base to wreck  havoc on innocent residents of the state.

“The neat road sides of the past now parade pockets of kiosks, illegal parking lots, unapproved mechanic workshops, roadside beer parlours and commercial centres.

“In addition, original residential areas now have industrial and commercial concerns located there, distorting the balance of the environment.

“These bad environmental practices, thriving in these prime areas, can no longer be tolerated and will be brought to an end immediately. These areas must  regain their lost glory as this administration demands a return of environmental normalcy.

“A safe, clean and prosperous Lagos is non-negotiable; that is the commitment of our administration. We will not allow these environmental infractions to continue. We cannot allow our beautiful environment to be destroyed by people who have no regard for beauty, serenity, law and order,” Governor Ambode stated.

The governor, however, appealed to stakeholders in the state to give the committee the maximum support required for the success of the initiative, for the overall benefit of the state.