Lagos plans new town development schemes

There are indications that plans are being made by the government to create new towns across the state. The Babatunde Fashola administration is determined to lay a solid foundation for the projects, which may be completed by the next executive if the indications on the development schemes are anything to go by

The need for the projects, are overwhelming, some state officials have said. One, it is meant to decongest the metropolis and to open up the semi-rural settings, thereby reducing the pressure on the urban centres and its infrastructure. Last week, The Guardian learnt that arrangements to deliver these projects are in top gear, as lands have already been earmarked in different parts of the state. Preparatory to the takeoff of the new towns development, major activities that included the site clearing, layouts, access roads and others have commenced in some of the locations.

The new towns are located in Ibeju and Iberekodo in Lekki axis; Erekiti, Magotho in Badagry; Ilu-Tuntun in Ikorodu and Erelu, along Epe expressway. The Ibeju scheme named “Coastal City Lekki” is located within Lekki Peninsula sub-region, accessible through Lagos-Epe Expressway, bounded to the West by New Lagos City and the Atlantic Ocean to the South. Coaster City sits on 669.309 hectares of land and designed to accommodate a population of 63,510 people.

According to the project vision, the scheme would create a unique living and a friendly environment. Design concept, according to officials is that the design is a mixed-use development for a conducive live, work and play environment.

Essentially, the scheme is to achieve sustainable development by encouraging local development in rural setting, said the Executive Secretary, Land State Land Bureau, Mr. Hakeem Muri Okunola, at the unveilings of the project recently. He explained the design concept as “Neighbourhood and land use patterned for easy connectivity of roads and activities”.

Expected infrastructure/facilities designed for the scheme include shopping mall, nursery school, bank complex, community centre, good roads and drainage network, service plot, health centre, light industry, neighbourhood Park, including paved stones for walkways and soft landscaping, among others.