Sanwo-Olu assures commitment to physical development plans’ implementation

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu, has assured  commitment to  the realisation of the state’s comprehensive physical development plans.

The governor gave this assurance during the Lagos Physical Planning Summit, with the themed: “Rethinking Lagos: A New Vision for a Regional and Integrated Megacity.”

He said the summit marked a milestone in the collective efforts to realize the comprehensive physical development plans for Lagos State.

To accelerate the realisation of the vision of making Lagos a 21st-century economy, alongside other pillars of the state’s blueprint,  the governor said that his administration embarked on the reorganisation of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to enhance its efficiency in serving the people.

“We have taken a carefully planned approach to delivering impactful projects across Lagos. Notable successes include the Agege-Pen Cinema flyover, which was part of the Agege/Ifako-Ijaiye Model City Plan, and the Ajah and Abule-Egba flyovers, proposed in the Ajah-Lekki Infrastructure Master Plan and the Alimosho Model City Plan, respectively. Soon, we will commence the Ikotun flyover, the Opebi/Odo-Iyalaro bypass, and road expansions in Ikorodu.

“The recent junction improvement at Opebi and the regional road at Lekki are further examples of our commitment to these plans. Additionally, the Lekki Deep Sea Port and the new airport in Lekki are direct results of proposals from the Operative Development Plans, “  the governor said.

He reassured his administration’s commitment to addressing the challenges posed by climate change, stating that he had successfully implemented measures to mitigate the impacts of flooding, sea-level rise, and other environmental risks.

According to him, the creation of the Lagos Resilience Strategy was a clear demonstration of the dedication to safeguarding the city for future generations.

“We have embarked on transformative infrastructure projects that enhance mobility, reduce congestion, and improve the quality of life for all Lagosians. The Lagos Rail Mass Transit projects and the continuous development of our road networks are key pillars in our efforts to promote sustainable urbanisation.

“In our drive to provide affordable housing and promote inclusive development, we have initiated projects that address the housing deficit while ensuring that our urban renewal efforts are holistic, focusing on improving the living conditions of all citizens, particularly in underserved communities.

“Our vision for an integrated megacity extends beyond Lagos. We recognize the importance of regional collaboration with neighboring states in the South-West and beyond,” Sanwo-Olu said.

By fostering partnerships and harmonizing the physical planning efforts, he said the state government aimed to create a regional ecosystem that supports economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social equity.

“As we continue to respond to the dynamic needs of physical planning and urban development, I know that this summit will inspire innovative solutions that attract investments in our existing plans and foster partnerships that will build a regionally connected, inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous Lagos,” he said.

He appreciated the Office of Physical Planning (OPP) for creating the biennial summit, describing it as “a veritable platform that brings together experts from all relevant sectors including urban planning, resilience, policy analysis, governance, risk management, and project finance to discuss and deliberate on how we can align our physical development goals with the demands of a rapidly growing metropolis.”

The Guest Speaker at the summit and former Minister of Work and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, urged the Lagos State Government to streamline the processes of granting planning approval with reasonable payment.

Fashola said that reduction in planning approval fee would attract more investors, create more opportunities and make the state investment’s destination

Fashola cautioned that a process that would take two years to respond to investors’ request for planning approval will send them away.

He emphasised that payment for request for planning approval must be “reasonable administrative cost.”

According to him, process for planning approval must not be seen and should not be revenue.

“Thus will not deprive the state of any revenue; in fact, it will multiply the state’s revenues. It is not sustainable. It’s a one-off; but the services that the government are able to offer to those who are able to build must not leave a hole to the government’s pocket,” he said.

He pointed out that the real revenue of government should come from the construction of the assets in the form of Land Use Charge and the value added to the property.

“The real revenue from plan approval should come from the construction of the asset itself. That’s the way. The  Land Use Charge will come into play because of the value added. That’s sustainable. It comes yearly,” the former governor said.

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