By Lagos, Nigeria-The Lagos State Government today announced that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies have been directed to enforce orderliness in informal spaces across the state, as part of efforts to improve safety, planning and proper use of open areas.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, gave the directive during a visit to the Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory on Thursday.
The visit was aimed at increasing awareness among government agencies about the state’s efforts to properly manage informal and open spaces.
He said a joint team made up of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, the Lagos State Informal Space Management Authority, formerly known as LASPEMA, and a consultant, Octragon, has been engaging the public through radio and television programmes.
The goal is to discourage the misuse of informal spaces and prevent accidents and poor planning.
He explained that better cooperation among agencies would reduce confusion, clashes of duties and operational conflicts.
The meeting took place at the Berger office of the Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory. It was attended by the General Manager of the Lagos State Informal Space Management Authority, Daisi Oso, the Chief Executive Officer of Octragon Multiproject Limited, Gbolahan Awonusi, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Physical Planning and Urban Development, Owolabi Adeniyi, and other directors.
The commissioner said the purpose of the meeting was to allow relevant agencies to work closely with the General Manager of the Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory, Olayinka Abdul.
Daisi Oso said many informal spaces are currently being misused, creating disorder in the state. He said the agency plans to recover and properly manage such spaces going forward. He also stressed the need for strong collaboration to build effective systems in line with the laboratory’s mandate.
Gbolahan Awonusi said data mapping has revealed underused lands in areas such as Ozumba Mbadiwe. He said recovering and developing such lands could generate billions of naira for the state. He added that the project aims to identify such spaces, improve their value and ensure proper planning. He also said people affected would be provided with alternative arrangements.
Olayinka Abdul said the effort would help remove criminal elements from some parts of the city and improve safety. She also highlighted the agency’s responsibilities, which include online verification, soil testing, material testing and promoting professional standards to ensure building safety.
