By Mobolaji Egbewunmi
The concept of democracy has received varying definitions and interpretations from scholars and political observers depending on the ideological leaning or interest of the contending scholars.
However, certain basic features of democracy serve as consensus among the contending perspectives. One such is accountability. Every democratically elected government is accountable to the people, to whom it owes its existence. Therefore, the people must be consistently informed about how their mandate is being utilized.
This is the major motivation behind the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s resolve to run an all-inclusive government. The administration’s idea of an all-inclusive government is one in which no one or segment of the society, irrespective of color, race, faith, status, ability, or disability is left behind.
Consequently, the administration has made wide consultations with various stakeholders in diverse sectors of the State. The major goal in seeking the input of stakeholders is to create strategic ways to determine ways of evolving ideas that will alleviate the suffering of the people and improve the quality of social life and economic development.
This was what informed some of the several stakeholders’ forums that it has held, especially intending to adopt and adapt some of the best practices in the advanced nation.
One vital area in which the government has taken a huge advantage of the all-important window is in the physical planning and urban renewal sector. The State’s Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Renewal, together with its agencies, has continued to engage the several communities in the State in constructive discussions, especially on the crucial matter of urban renewal.
In its drive to bring on board new Master Plans that will hasten urban renewal across the State, the Ministry has consistently been carrying all critical stakeholders along.
Recently, there was an engagement on the historic event of presenting the reviewed Badagry Sub-Region Master Plan for Stakeholders’ ratification.
The Badagry Sub-Region represents another milestone in the State’s journey towards bequeathing a livable, organised, and sustainable physical environment as envisaged by the development agenda of the Sanwo-Olu Administration.
The Badagry Sub-Region is strategically located in the western end of Lagos State, covering an area of 73,955.32 hectares (735.55 sqkm). It is bounded in the north by Ogun State and the south by Badagry Creek and the Atlantic Ocean.
It also shares boundaries with Apapa-Oshodi Expressway/Ajeromi Ifelodun LCDA to the East and the Republic of Benin to the West. The Sub-Region covers four Local Government Areas and six Local Council Development Areas, among which are Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area, Ojo Local Government Area, and Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area as well as Oriade, Iba, Otto-Awori, Olorunda, and Badagry West Local Council Development Areas.
In addition to its strategic location, the Sub-Region is endowed with some alluring features that highlight the prospect of impactful physical development. The consequence of the foregoing is the emergence of the axis as a growth pole with a greater requirement for infrastructure, which necessitated the review of the Badagry Master Plan(2012-2032) 12 years into its use.
As a result, Vistaplan Consulting Limited, a renowned physical planning consulting firm, was awarded the review of the Badagry Sub-Region Master Plan to develop a coherent planning strategy to guide future physical developments and transform the Sub-Region into a dynamic and sustainable community where people can live, work, play and prosper.
This development is in line with international best practices and the requirements of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2019 as amended, which stipulates the review of development plans every five years.
In line with the deliverables of the project, the Consultants have been forthcoming at every stage as they have painstakingly addressed the peculiar needs of the Sub-Region, in recognition of the aspirations and values of its people.
The Ministry, upon receipt of the Draft Plan in May, endorsed the 28-day Public Inspection/Evaluation in 13 different locations across the Sub-Region from 19th June to 26th July 2024.
This exercise is a layer of public participation in the process of reviewing the Plan and climaxes with the stakeholders’ engagement and validation process. This is intending to receive further inputs and secure the stakeholders’ buy-in and ownership of the Plan.
In the words of the Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Engr. Oluwole Sotire, the Badagry Sub-Region Master Plan Review would develop a coherent planning strategy to guide future physical developments and transform the Sub-Region into a dynamic and sustainable community where people can live, work, play, and prosper.
Stakeholders of the Sub-Region, including Obas Chiefs and other opinion leaders, supported the proposals and called for robust implementation as they look forward to better linkage of coastal communities and the release of excised lands, among others.
The event was graced by prominent traditional rulers and notable sons and daughters of the Sub-Region, including the Chairman, APC, Lagos State, Hon.Cornelius Ojelabi, Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hon. Tolani Sule, Special Adviser, Works, Dr. Adekunle Olayinka and Chairman Badagry Local Government, Hon. Segun Onilude, as well as the Chairman, Olorunda LCDA, Samson Olatunde and former Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Tourist, Hon. Kolawole Giwa , among others.
Other dignitaries are the former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Olutoyin Ayinde, Chairman, Lagos State Physical Planning and Building Control Appeals Committee, Tpl. Ayo Adediran, General Manager, Lagos State Informal Space Management Authority, Tpl. Daisi Oso and Hon. Solomon Bonu.
In another development, Governor Sanwo-Olu has been commended by natives of Ode-Omi for approving the preparation of an Area Plan for their community.
This came to the fore during the final stakeholders’ meeting on the Ode-Omi Action Area Plan at the Lekki LCDA Secretariat.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide said it was part of the acclaimed procedure of the physical development plan preparation process to subject the plan to stakeholders’ validation to promote genuine ownership.
“This process of mutual exchange is to ensure that we ultimately produce a plan that gives guide and direction to the growth and development of the coastal settlement of Ode-Omi while building a sense of ownership in the people as the beneficiaries”, he said.
Olumide, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Oluwole Sotire noted that the lower-order plan would address the development needs of the boundary town and effectively position it to meet the demands of emerging developments in the Lekki-Epe axis.
He stated that Ode-Omi deserved a well-coordinated development pattern, taking cognizance of spatial and sectoral elements of growth, considering its location within the growth pole of Ibeju-Lekki.
He said that the Ode-Omi Action Area Plan was an indication of the adequate attention being paid to the creation of an organised and sustainable physical environment in Ibeju-Lekki by the Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu Administration.
Another indication of this effort, he revealed, is the carving out of Ibeju-Lekki from the general Lekki Comprehensive Master Plan(2013-2033) to guide the development of the area in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda of the State Government.
The Managing Partner, Sanni, and Associate, Tpl. Kamil Sanni, the consultant for the project, said that the Action Area Plan had gone through various bottom-up processes.
The plan is one of the nine Action Area Plans approved for preparation across the State by the current Administration.
