LASPEMA urges stakeholders to support effective management of setbacks, incidental open spaces

As part of the ongoing efforts to sanitise and regulate Lagos setbacks and incidental open spaces for effective urban planning, the General Manager, LASPEMA, Tpl. Daisi Oso, has urged the leadership of Chief Anthony Enahoro Estate Residents Association, WEMCO Road, Ogba and LSDPC Medium Housing Estate, Agege to support the State Government on the initiative. 
 
The General Manager made the call during a stakeholders’ meeting with the residents towards achieving a common objective of better management of setbacks and incidental open spaces adjoining the estates, emphasising the need to correct the misuse and usage of the spaces before it gets out of hand.
 
In his words: “The setbacks/incidental open spaces in the State are under immense pressure due to massive influx of people from other States and neighbouring countries. This has led to an increase in spending by the State government on infrastructural facilities to beautify urban spaces in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S development agenda”.
 
“It is imperative to hold engagements to decide on how best to manage these spaces. It is also important to collaborate on it with critical stakeholders who may have better recommendations/suggestions to enhance the effective management of the setbacks/incidental open spaces”, Oso added. 
 
Clearing the air on who has the power to control and determine the usage of these setbacks, the General Manager said by virtue of Section 2a of Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law of 2019 as amended, the Agency has the statutory responsibility on all aspects of Physical Planning and Urban Development among others in the State.
 
In his remarks, the Chairman of the LSDPC Medium Housing Estate, Agege, Mr. Dapo Daramola expressed appreciation of the residents to LASPEMA, adding that the leadership of the Estate is elated on having such a crucial engagement with the Government through the Agency.
 
“The residents of the Housing Estate will cooperate and support the Agency on the laudable initiative. It must also be noted that this is the first time we are having a government agency using a bottom-top approach in Planning”, he added. 
 
Similarly, in another stakeholders’ engagement held in Ikeja with the Executive Members of Ikeja Auto Dealers’ Association, the General Manager explained the mandate of the Agency and the need for members of the association to regularise their operations on the use of setbacks and incidental open spaces on Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja.