Ogun seal deal to develop MITROS CITY.

In a bid to rebuild the landscape of the state under its urban development programme, the Ogun State Government has finally sealed a deal with a concessionaire for the development of a new settlement that would be known as a Mitros city.

Mitros, an acronym for Mission To Rebuild Ogun State, is a new housing estate, to be sited by the Isheri Olofin/Akute axis along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, If Local Government Area of the state.

The project that is coming under public-private partnership and sitting on a 2,000-hectare of land is aimed at attracting investors, creating jobs and adding aesthetic value to the location, particularly for the manufacturing companies that have opened businesses in that corridor of the state.

With the project, the popular Kara cattle market would be relocated, as The Guardian learnt that plans have been in place for soon relocation of the traders and other settlers within the area.

Upon completion, the project which may take between five and seven years before completion is to accommodate citizens of low, medium as well as upper income earners.

Indeed, the news to develop the new city has been in the air even as Governor Ibikunle Amosu had some months ago disclosed that his administration intended to build a world-class housing estate to be known as the Mitros City that will make ogun state habitable for anyone within and across the nation, irrespective of this or her social class.

And just last week, the Ogun State government took further steps towards realizing the dream by signing a concession agreement with the UBA construction company for the development of the city.

The multi-billion naira project, which would be developed into a self-sustaining regional town, is expected to raise the bar of the state in urban development among the comity of states in Nigeria and beyond.

At the signing of the Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU), Governor Amosun, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Taiwo Adeolu, stated that when his office assumed power about 43 months ago, Abeokuta, the state capital looked almost like a village in terms of development, but was glad that the city could now be compared favourably with any modern settlement.

According to him, the positive development had attracted more investors to the state, particularly for the manufacturing companies that have opened businesses within that corridor.

“MITROS City is a huge an ambitious project that would accommodate the influx of people to the State,” Amosun stated.

The Governor who stated that work on the project would soon begin assured that his administration would re-settle those who would be displaced as a result of the project.

The Special Adviser to Governor Ibikunle Amosun on Housing, Mrs. Segun Abiodun, in a speech at the signing ceremony explained that as part of his administration’s plans to rebuild the state “And in pursuit of its housing and urban development goals”, it is determined to develop self-sustaining cities across the state.

Abiodun stated: “In the case of Isheri/Akute axis, we seek to achieve this objective by utilizing the low land area adjourning Lagos State along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.”

“Occupying this strategic location at the edge of metropolitan Lagos and yet rooted in the rural landscape and character of Ogun State, MITROS City will represent a unique and exciting development opportunity,” the Special Adviser affirmed.

According to her, “The project site, which is prone to flooding is expected to be stabilized at approximately 5-7 metres above sea level firstly by the proposed dredging and realignment of the Ogun river.”

She disclosed, “When completed, the MITROS City will offer the “Ultimate urban experience, which is as a result of careful planning and understanding of the ingredients that makes for a rewarding urban life”.
“The concessionaries” Abiodun disclosed “Are a multi-disciplinary construction development company with a special focus on developing projects within Africa. The consortium, which includes Dar al-handasah has international development partners in Europe and Asia.”

The process of selection of the company, she said was rigorous and followed best practice principles and “We are confident that the best and most suited development company was selected for this project.”

The Chairman of the company, Mr. Adeniyi Oyedele in his brief remark said that about 95 percent of the land to be used for the project “Is a virgin land” disclosing that work would be completed between six and seven year’s time.

Credit: Guardian Newspaper