Francesca Odimgbe
The Lagos State Government on Wednesday presented Land Allocation letters to 98 villages within Ito-Omu and other communities in Sangotedo and Ibeju-Lekki areas of the State.
The allocation letters were presented to leaders of each village by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during a ceremony held at Ito-Omu Link Bridge, Sangotedo, Lagos.
The presentation of the allocation letters was a result of the Lagos State Government’s acquisition of 16,300 hectares of land in Ito-Omu and other communities through the New Towns Development Authority (NTDA) to develop and maintain several developmental schemes to take care of the housing needs and other developmental activities of the citizens.
Speaking at the allocation letters presentation, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the government decided to ensure that the growth of Ito-Omu and all its neighbouring communities is not just accidental, but a planned, purposeful, and people-centred development.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the initiative is geared toward building not only a new development, but communities in which people can live with dignity, do business, and ensure their businesses thrive, for future generations.
He said: “The future of Lagos cannot be built on unplanned expansion. It must be built on deliberate planning, appropriate infrastructure, secure communities and opportunities for our people to prosper.
“This is why the development plan for Ito-Omu and the adjoining communities is so important. It provides a framework for guiding growth in a rapidly developing part of Lagos, ensuring that residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and recreational land uses are properly integrated, so that infrastructure can be efficiently provided, investment can flourish, and residents can enjoy a better quality of life.
“This is fully consistent with the vision of our THEMES+ Agenda and our commitment to building a Lagos that is more inclusive, resilient, sustainable and globally competitive.
“As Lagos continues to expand and attract people, businesses and investment, we must ensure that growth is not simply about how much we build, but how well we plan, how fairly we develop, and how many people we carry along. That is the real significance of today’s ceremony.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu said his administration is committed to ensuring that planning brings better infrastructure, greater security of tenure, new economic opportunities and improved living conditions, while respecting the heritage and identity that the communities have preserved over generations.
He urged the beneficiaries to continue to work with the Government and the relevant agencies to ensure that the development of the communities is orderly, sustainable and beneficial to the present and future generations.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also commended the Lands Bureau, the New Towns Development Authority, the Office of the State Surveyor-General, the consulting firms and all other stakeholders whose professionalism, patience and commitment have brought the project to the current stage.
“Let me also make it clear that the presentation of these letters is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of a new phase in which planning must translate into tangible development. We will continue to work towards opening up these communities with better road access, improved drainage and social infrastructure, while the planned Ito-Omu Waterfront Jetty will strengthen connectivity and ease movement for our people. These are the kinds of interventions that will turn this plan from a document into a living, thriving community, creating new opportunities for investment, employment and improved living conditions.
“I congratulate all the beneficiaries and stakeholders on this important milestone. I assure you that the development of Ito-Omu and the surrounding communities will be orderly in design, secure in tenure, and rich in opportunity,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau, Mr Kamar Olowosago, appreciated the villagers for sacrificing their lands for developmental projects in Lagos for the benefit of residents, which would also open up the axis to improve socio-economic activities.
Responding to the government’s gesture on behalf of the ninety-eight beneficiary villages, Onibeju of Ibeju-Lekki, Oba Razak Olasunkanmi, appealed to the Lagos State Government to ensure the New Town comprises both commercial and residential buildings to enhance connectivity among the villages, while advocating the establishment of a Technical College in the Ibeju-Lekki axis for their children and wards.
Some of the beneficiary villages include Orofun, Agadangba, Oko-Keji, Okun-Abe, Abegede, Idi-Ori, Anikansogbo, Anwoye Oke, Anwoye Ebute, Ladaba Ebute, Idi Afon, Oguntedo, Megun, Isan, Ipesu, Arapagi Lotu, Ibon, Ito-Omu, Ladaba, Dongo, Oregun, Ladega and Ladaba Oke-Odo among others.