Sanwo-Olu allocates land to 98 Lekki communities

No fewer than 98 communities in the Lekki area of Lagos have been allocated land by the state government.

The land allocation is a compensation for over 16,300 hectares of land acquired by the state government in Ito-Omu and other communities through the New Towns Development Authority (NTDA) to develop and maintain several developmental schemes to take care of the housing needs and other developmental activities of the citizens.

The allocation letters were presented to leaders of each of the affected villages by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during a ceremony held at Ito-Omu Link Bridge, Sangotedo, on Wednesday.  Among the villages are Orofun, Agadangba, Oko-Keji, Okun-Abe, Abegede, Idi-Ori, Anikansogbo, Anwoye Oke, Anwoye Ebute, Ladaba Ebute, Idi Afon, Oguntedo, Megun, Isan, Ipesu, Arapagi Lotu, Ibon, Ito-Omu, Ladaba, Dongo, Oregun, Ladega and Ladaba Oke-Odo, among others.

At the event, Sanwo-Olu said the government decided to ensure that the growth of Ito-Omu and all its neighbouring communities is not just accidental, but a planned, purposeful, and people-centred development.

According to the governor, the initiative is geared toward building not only a new development, but communities in which people can live with dignity, do business, and ensure their businesses thrive, for future generations.

“The future of Lagos cannot be built on unplanned expansion. It must be built on deliberate planning, appropriate infrastructure, secure communities and opportunities for our people to prosper.

“This is why the development plan for Ito-Omu and the adjoining communities is so important. It provides a framework for guiding growth in a rapidly developing part of Lagos, ensuring that residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and recreational land uses are properly integrated, so that infrastructure can be efficiently provided, investment can flourish, and residents can enjoy a better quality of life,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu added that as “Lagos continues to expand and attract people, businesses and investment, we must ensure that growth is not simply about how much we build, but how well we plan, how fairly we develop, and how many people we carry along. That is the real significance of today’s ceremony.”

He further assured of his administration’s resolve to ensure that planning brings better infrastructure, greater security of tenure, new economic opportunities and improved living conditions, while respecting the heritage and identity that the communities have preserved over generations. He urged the beneficiaries to continue to work with the Government and the relevant agencies to ensure that the development of the communities is orderly, sustainable and beneficial to the present and future generations.

“Let me also make it clear that the presentation of these letters is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of a new phase in which planning must translate into tangible development. We will continue to work towards opening up these communities with better road access, improved drainage and social infrastructure, while the planned Ito-Omu Waterfront Jetty will strengthen connectivity and ease movement for our people. These are the kinds of interventions that will turn this plan from a document into a living, thriving community, creating new opportunities for investment, employment and improved living conditions.”

Speaking on behalf of the 98 villages, Oba Razak Olasunkanmi, Onibeju of Ibeju-Lekki, appealed to the state government to ensure the New Town comprises both commercial and residential buildings to enhance connectivity among the villages, while advocating the establishment of a Technical College in the Ibeju-Lekki axis for their children and wards.