…as Sanwo-Olu Extends Amnesty for Existing Buildings
…town Planners Urged to Take the Lead in Cities’ Development
Hope has been rekindled for #Greater Lagos at the just concluded maiden edition of the Lagos Physical Planning Summit that was held between the 15th and 16th of October at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island.
The groundbreaking event, themed “Rethinking Lagos: A New Vision for a Regional and Integrated Megacity,” attracted esteemed political leaders, urban planners, and experts who raised and proffered solutions to challenges in physical planning in Lagos State.
In his opening remarks, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu expressed pride in launching the important event, which he described as very crucial in advancing Lagos as a 21st-century economy and aligning physical development with global best practices.
“Our vision for an integrated megacity that extends beyond Lagos, includes fostering regional collaboration with neighbouring states to support economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social equity,” he said.
The Governor praised the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development for organising the inaugural Physical Planning Summit as a platform for experts to deliberate on the strategic path forward for Lagos, noting that major infrastructure projects drawn from the Master Plans, such as the Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Lagos Rail Mass Transit, were among key successes that had set Lagos on the path of sustainable development.
He enjoined Town Planners to do more in securing grounds already covered and plugging the existing gaps, adding that physical planning was the bedrock of development.
He stated that in the realisation of its pivotal role in the development of the State, his administration had unbundled the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development by creating the Office of Physical Planning and the Office of Urban Development to foster concentration on the different aspects of city planning and enforcement and enhance efficiency.
The Governor also announced a further extension of the Amnesty Programme for existing buildings without Planning Permits until December 31st and called on all residents to prioritise compliance with Physical Planning regulations.
The former Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, whose inspiring leadership and commitment to urban renewal was attested to by other speakers, said in his Keynote Lecture that “Lagos is considered a mega city due to its massive population of over 20 million people, making it a hub for economic growth and development”.
Fashola emphasised the importance of Town Planners in ensuring effective physical planning and urban development, highlighting their role in determining land use, infrastructure development and resource allocation.
He averred that Town Planners should lead in deciding how land resources were utilised for the benefit of all citizens, ensuring access to basic amenities like schools, healthcare facilities and public transport.
Fashola identified key challenges facing Lagos, including non-compliance with building regulations, inadequate infrastructure, and waste management and proposed solutions, such as updating model city plans, completing ongoing projects like the Adiyan Water Works Phase II, and exploring private sector funding for standalone projects.
Additionally, he emphasised the potential of tourism development along the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, leveraging the state’s natural assets to create employment opportunities and drive economic growth.
He stressed the need for town planners to envision infrastructure that supports talent expression and job creation, particularly in the entertainment and creative industries, which includes developing new stadiums, concert arenas, film studios, and performance centres.
He emphasised the critical role of town planners in determining Lagos’ prosperity, urging them to take a more proactive and vocal stance in shaping the city’s future. Effective town planning is essential for creating functional, sustainable communities that provide a high quality of life for residents.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, observed that Lagos’s status as Nigeria’s commercial hub engendered challenges of rapid urbanisation, which put untold pressure on social infrastructure.
“Lagos is confronted with urban decay, a housing deficit, and the threat of climate change. This summit is an opportunity for us to explore sustainable solutions to these pressing issues,” he said.
He noted that experts were drawn from different fields, including urban planning, resilience, governance, and finance, to lead the summit discussion and evolve a road map for sustainable efforts.
To enhance the gains of the Summit, Olumide assured that concrete action plans and implementation monitoring strategies were in place.
Other speakers at the event include the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, some former Commissioners in Lagos state, experts from UN-Habitat, Dar/Sidara, and academia.