Allays Fears of Dislocation
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Says Government Amenable to Issuing New Lease for Land Use in the Community
The Lagos State Government has constituted a committee on the regeneration of Obalende, a once serene Lagos Island community, which has since devolved into the rustic part of Ikoyi Southwest.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, said the committee was set up by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu with a three-month timeline to look into the modalities for restoring the community to its past glory.
He stated that property owners and residents of the community, led by their representative in the House of Assembly, Mr. Gbolahan Yishawu, requested the government’s assurance on the issuance of land title and details about the impending dislocation due to the regeneration plan for the area.
Salako pointed out that the motive for regeneration is not to displace homeowners but to develop the community in line with the 21st Century development standards, noting that the State government would consider granting property owners in the area a new lease agreement.
“Mr. Governor at the meeting assured the Obalende residents that he will, on compassionate ground, renew the title to their land if and when they apply for renewal but that should not derail the regeneration efforts of the State Government”, he said.
The Commissioner, therefore, urged members of the community to trust that the present administration would improve their environment in line with its T.H.E.M.E.S development agenda.
The Committee members include four representatives of the community, their representative in the House of Assembly and five Government officials, namely the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, the Permanent Secretary Lands Bureau, Mr. Bode Agoro, the State Surveyor-General, Surv. Olutomi Sangowawa as well as the General Manager of the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA), Ms. Ajibike Shomade, and the General Manager of Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Arc. Gbolahan Oki.
Also at the meeting were the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat; the Special Adviser, EGIS and Planning Matters, Dr. Olajide Babatunde; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development; Engr. Abiola Kosegbe, and the General Manager, the Lagos State Planning and Environmental Monitoring Agency, Tpl. Daisi Oso.
