By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Lagos says it is delighted to join hands with federal authorities to facilitate the development of the South West, which will be an example for other zones to follow in the quest to upgrade infrastructure and living standards everywhere in the country.
Physical Planning and Urban Development Commissioner, Idris Salako, made the point when a team from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, led by David Olawale, visited him at work in Ikeja.
Olawale, a town planner, disclosed that the federal government has approved the preparation of the Strategic Regional Development Plan for the South West, with Lagos State as the pilot.
The state Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has a pivotal role to play in the process, he added, per reporting by Lagosstate.gov.ng website.
Olawale sought effective collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing particularly in sharing sociological and demographic data.
“Out of the six geopolitical zones, only the South West has been awarded. The Sub-Region Plans for the South West and the other five geopolitical zones will usher in the National Physical Development Plan for the good of the country”, he said.
Salako, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Abiola Kosegbe, commended the plan of the federal government for the neigbouring Lagos and Ogun States which he said would accelerate the development of frontier communities.
He added that the development plan for the two states would also help achieve the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of the Lagos State government.
Salako said Lagos is willing to cooperate with Abuja especially in data gathering and information sharing, and that the state has recorded successes in its development plans.
Lagos development master plan
Lagos is also pressing on with its own plan to develop all parts of the state.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on June 8 pledged commitment to the full implementation of the Iru-Victoria Island and Lagos Master Plan, saying the axis is too critical to the economic prosperity of the state.
He disclosed at the first coronation anniversary of Gbolahan Lawal as the 15th Oniru of Iruland that more roads and other infrastructure will be executed in the axis.
Sanwo-Olu urged Lawal to partner with the government on the regeneration of Iru to actualise the Greater Lagos Agenda.