… To relocate Ikeja computer village, Okobaba Sawmill, Mile 12 market
• Assembly orders removal of traders from Lagos-Badagry Expressway
By Moshood Adebayo and Chinelo Obogo
The Lagos State Government has placed embargo on approval for construction of filling stations in all parts of the state till further notice.
The state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Wasiu Anifowose, who announced this yesterday also said that the government had resolved not to grant construction permit for filling stations pending the inventory of existing ones.
He also hinted that plans are at advanced stage to relocate the popular Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos to a more befitting area in the state.
The commissioner also disclosed that efforts were in top gear to relocate Mile 12 Market to Imota and Okobaba Sawmill to Agbowa.
According to him, the current compuer village constitutes environmental nuisance as well as security threat, hence the government decision to transform it to a world class ICT Park, in Katangowa, Agbado/Oke-Odo area of the state.
“The Computer Village, Ikeja as at present is a menance. It is designed for residential and not for commercial activities that it later turned out to be. It constitutes traffic problem to the area.
He added:” as a result of this, the state government has decided to relocate it and transforms it to a world class ICT centre, the ground breaking of which will be done before the end of the year.”
The commissioner also said the government was also working with the Federal Government to relocate Tank Farms in residential areas in Apapa, adding that a definite pronouncement would be made in that in regard in due course.
Anifowoshe also revealed that a definite action will soon be taken on indiscriminate construction of event centres across the state.
On demolitions of buildings and structures, the commissioner said the government had paid compensation on properties demolished for right of way for major projects,
“We will not do demolition without engaging the people involved. We have asked those that their structures or buildings fall within areas that are needed for development to come up with papers for us to be able to pay compensation.”
Meanwhile, the State House of Assembly has condemned the illegal trading on Lagos-Badagary expressway. The House yesterday, also ordered the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare to direct the taskforce and other relevant agencies to ensure the removal of traders on the road between Okokomaiko and Volkwagen.
In a motion moved by a member Victor Akande and seconded by Gbolahan Yishawu, the house mandated the relevant agencies to checkmate the unruly activities of traders on those areas.
Speaking during plenary, the lawmakers said the activities of the traders will cause more havoc to the state and destroy the megacity plan.
One of the lawmakers, Victor Akande said that despite the huge resources pumped into the state to have a safer and cleaner Lagos, people were still making efforts to destroy it.
He said: “Some of these people are from Benin Republic. The taskforce should be stationed in that area for three months and in that way, they will be chased away.
“We should be mindful of the security of Lagos. We need the efforts of agencies including LASMA, taskforce, RRS among others.”
The speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa lamented the ordeal witnessed by members on their way to Badagry recently on official assignment. Obasa disclosed that the road was blocked for hours which hindered smooth traffic operation.
“This is not what we want in Lagos and it is time for us to act fast. It is important for us to urge the commissioner for environment to, as a matter of urgency force these people out of the road.
“If we can bring sanity to Oshodi, I believe bringing sanity to that area is not out of place,” he said.