Urban regeneration: Sanwo-Olu visits Isale Eko, Onala, Idumagbo, others

Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Saturday morning visited some locations in Lagos Island, including the Onala playing ground, the demolished Jankara Market, among others in line with his administration’s plan to embark on the urban regeneration of identified communities in the state.

Other places visited by the governor, was accompanied by the Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanni Eshinlokun and some members of the State Executive Council, including the State’s Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako, are: the Isale Gangan regeneration site; Adeniji Adele; Ebute Elefun and some areas around Idumagbo designated for redevelopment.

Sanwo-Olu restated his administration’s commitment to urban regeneration, saying that Lagos truly needed regeneration especially Lagos Island.

He assured residents of the affected areas that his administration would ensure a complete renewal of the entire community, emphasising on the building of drainage channels, road upgrade and construction to ease vehicular movements of people and goods.

It would be recalled that Governor Sanwo-Olu, during electioneering, spoke on the need for urban renewal especially in some communities in Lagos Island.

The governor, however, identified sincerity as the major issue militating against urban redevelopment in the state.

“When you want to take people’s properties and you want to regenerate, they must first see the sincerity of purpose,” he said, querying: “What are the additional plans that you have for them before you could regenerate?”

He assured Lagosians that his administration would provide a stopgap for at least two to three years, saying such needed to be done to achieve proper enumeration.

“You need to do what we call proper enumeration. Once you can enumerate properly and determine who the original owners of properties are, and you sit and have an agreement, then the regeneration will start,” the governor said.

He also assured that his administration would work out a proper model before embarking on the project to ensure strong confidence.

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“I have said, the major thing is the sincerity of purpose knowing fully well that you are not out to circumvent them or to short-change them.

“Once that is put on the table very clearly and transparently, we will get a success of it,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Speaking on the visit, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, said Lagos Island regeneration plan was an important focal point for urban renewal of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration.

The commissioner noted that Isale Eko apart from being the heart of Lagos was also a historical centre.

Salako said the government had also considered its potentials for socio-economic and cultural revival, noting that the regeneration of Isale Eko would bring up its thriving arts and cultural vibes with local markets and commercial activities.

“Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu in line with the THEMES agenda of making Lagos a 21st Century Economy will tap into this dynamism and turn the potential into real investment opportunities and growth, in order to reverse the decay, slums and lack of effective services through the revitalisation programme for Lagos Island,” he assured.

Salako stated further that as part of the regeneration programme, the government would commence immediate re-planning of Jankara by preparing an action plan for the area.

”Work will also include infrastructure upgrade and resurfacing of the failed portion of the roads and de-silting of all drainage channels around the area and those around Adeniji Adele,” he said.

According to him, “The Onola playing field is also to be transformed to a befitting sporting centre that will help take the youths off the street and develop their potentials.”