Ogun envisions upgrade of 6 blighted communities

The Ogun State government has said that 2017 budget for the Ministry of Urban and Physical Planning would further provide appropriate physical development plans for the growth and development of towns and cities which include the upgrade of six blighted/slum communities within its Urban settlements.

The move, according to the government, would help to enhance effective and efficient development control system in the state.

The Commissioner for Urban and Physical Planning, Mrs Ronke Sokefun made this known while defending the Ministry’s 2017 appropriation bill before the House Committee on Lands and Housing last week.

Sokefun had proposed the total expenditure of N295,000,000 and N360,000,000 for both capital and recurrent expenditures for the ministry and her sister agency, Urban and Regional Planning Board respectively.

She said that the proposed would help to ensure sustainable development, economic empowerment and easy access to community amenities in the state.

The commissioner reiterated that regional master plans would be prepared in the fiscal year for the containment of urban sprawl along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway axis as well as other areas, adding that her ministry through the State Urban and Regional Planning Board would upgrade at least six blighted/slum communities within urban settlements.

She, however, pledged to achieve the revenue targets of the ministry with necessary support given, adding that crop of the professionals in both the ministry and the board are up to the task.

Meanwhile, to further provide more job opportunities for its teeming youths as well increase its revenue, the Ogun State government says it has concluded plans to resuscitate the moribund Gateway Timber Industry Limited (GATIL) in the coming year.

Commissioner for Forestry, Chief Kolawole Lawal made this known while defending the 2017 budget.

Chief Lawal said GATIL, a state-owned Sawmill was in the past, known for processing timber into different specifications of finished products that were marketed across the Southwest geo-political zone.

Speaking on what would be required to revamp the ailing industry, the Commissioner said “the sum of N50 million would be used  to repair the CD6 machine, Edger Machine, Circular Sawing Machine and  other necessary maintenance work.”

Lawal also informed that the sum of N278,000,000 had been budgeted for tree planting in 2017 while N10,000,000 and N62,500,000 had been earmarked for forest conservation and production of farm seedlings respectively.