Monday, February 3, 2014 47
THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com
HOMES & PROPERTY Lagos, Ibeju-Lekki communities parley over development plan Urban Development By Tunde Alao line with the physical IfiesNplanning law, which speci‘bottom-up approach’ in land matters, Lagos State Government last week held talks with the homeowners and residents within IbejuLekki to ensure its development plan for the area becomes a reality. The sensitization meeting, held at the Igando Oloja’s Headquarters of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government (LGA), attracted government officials, drawn from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPPUD), and its agencies that included the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPA); Lagos State Building Control Board (LABSCA); and Lagos State Urban Renewal Authority (LASURA); the leading traditional rulers from the community and local government officials among others. The meeting, aimed at sensitizing the community members of the government’s plan for the area designated as “Future of Lagos”, unfolded where major infrastructure,
Firm opens N280m office complex in Port Harcourt CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31 land area of 586 square meters and built up space of 255 square meters. About 331 spaces are reserved for parking while additional space will soon be added to the entire space to increase the parking lots. The left wing has two suites, while the right wing is an open floor plan from the first to the second floor. The third floor has a balcony or projection that can be used as an office space. But it was adopted in the fourth floor occupied by the firm as visitors’ room. The third and fourth floors are similar in space and design. The pent house has an in-house training room and a rest room opened to members of staff. The property firm is already wooing prospective tenants such as banks, financial institutions and corporate entities including professional firms. Finished with a mix of special Italian ceramic tiles and granite, all the first three floors are being offered for letting. In the left wing, each of the space is 75 square meters, while the right wing is 150 square meters. Each of the wings has two conveniences and each floor has four conveniences. Other facilities provided in the complex are water treatment plant, 250 KVA generator, dedicated transformer and passenger lift. “We anticipating quick occupation by tenants, considering the location of our complex and increase in demand for commercial property by tenants. Accessibility is wonderful. From here, you can connect Oluobasanjo into Aba road or connect Sani Abacha to Ikwerre Road. It is very central and road network is fantastic,” he said.
While officials are emphasizing the need to conform to the Ibeju-Lekki master plan by individuals and developers, in view of its status as the “Future of Lagos”, but affected land owners are of the opinion that layout approval should have been incorporated in the excision document, without a different charge for the exercise amenities and other facilities are to be located. The meeting also was meant to avail the residents and land owners their responsibilities and obligations in the scheme of development in the axis. Besides, it was also intended to know the requirements that would allow the landowners possessed the landed properties government excised to them, which was one of the crucial points
of
discussion. Among major infrastructure proposed for the area,according to the Director of Development Matters, LASPPPA, Mr. Ayo Adediran include the International Airport, which land has been earmarked for its several components; light rail, International Conference Centre; Access roads; Coaster Road from Goshen Estate to the Free Trade Zone end;
Right of Way (ROA), for installations of power equipment, among others. Besides, Adediran mentioned that there are areas carved out for private estate developments, schools, hospitals, bridge that would link Ibeju Lekki to Itoikin, a community along Ijebu-Ode-Epe Road, and other public instit u t i o n s . He said the clarification became necessary in order to avoid illegal development that may result into demolition on one hand and also to intimate the people with the overall development plans in the face of allegation of unauthorized land transactions that has become prevalent in the area. Speaking at the meeting,, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban
Development , Mr. Olutoyin Ayinde, while appealing for conformity with physical planning law, noted that government wanted to avoid a situation by which people would fall into the wrong hand of the law. Ayinde informed the gathering that government was conscious of these excisions, in that they are being done in view of the overall development plan of the area. Therefore, every bit of development must be in conformity with the overall plan. The Commissioner lamented that out of 99 excisions, only four beneficiaries have come with their layout plans. However, community leaders who spoke at the parley alleged that the amount government is charging was
beyond their control. A leading traditional ruler in the area, Oba Fatai Elemoro, while asking government to reduce the fees, berated officials for acquiring a large portion of land earmarked to establish “New Lagos”, but which nothing is being done to actualize the project. Responding, Ayinde assured them that government would look into their complaints regarding the alleged exorbitant charges on layout and other sundry complaints. General Manager, LASPPPA, Mr. Rotimi Toyin Abdul, a Town Planner, while emphasizing the significance of the stakeholders’ meeting noted that achieving sustainable physical development requires “bottom-up and broad based” active participation of all whose interest are affected.