PROPERTY NEWS

AMID current activities to boost development control efficiency, the Lagos authorities have begun screening of tender documents to pick firms that would pilot the state's premier comprehensive regional plan, which is hoped would usher in orderly physical development in the state.

Unofficial sources told The Guardian that no fewer than four local and multinational town planning consulting firms and members of the Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON) are gunning for the job.

The state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Francsco Bolaji Abosede, who spoke at the 2009 yearly general meeting of the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Lagos State Chapter, would not confirm the actual figure, but disclosed that the contract would be awarded before the end of this year.

Abosede, who is also a town planner, said that despite plans to contract the regional plan to consultants, the state's Physical Planning and Development Authority (LASPPDA) would still continue to prepare development guides and layouts for excised villages all over the state. "This is with a view to guaranteeing the orderly development of our ever growing physical environment," he said.

He added that the state had concluded the Lekki peninsula comprehensive master plan aimed at providing land use and its infrastructure plan as basis for the development of the Lekki region, and had also awarded the consultancy contracts for the preparation of Badagry Master plan, Lagos Mainland Central Master plan, Ikorodu Master plan and Alimosho Model City Plan.

The state, he added, had started the implementation of recommendations from the report of the Technical Committee on Building Control and Planning Regulations, and had approved the restructuring of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development with establishment of a Building Control Authority to facilitate building plan approvals and curb collapse of buildings.

A bill for the review of the existing Urban and Regional Planning law is before the State House of Assembly for consideration, while a Model City development law meant to involve the people in the implementation of the model city plans has been recently enacted.

His words: "The government continues to enforce the existing laws and regulations on urban development and planning. We plead for support and understanding of all stakeholders in this respect as the government moved to make our environment more livable, aesthetic and safe."

On the urban upgrading scheme, Abosede said that apart from the World Bank assisted projects being undertaken by the Lagos Metropolitan Project and Governance, the State government is also carrying out interventions in such blighted and slum areas as the Lagos Island Central Business District upgrading scheme, Isale Igangan Redevelopment project, Princess Court Development, and the Ijora Oloye slum upgrading project. He added that the state LASURA had awarded consultancy for the study of identified slum areas.

The state's NITP chapter Chairman, Mr. Moses Ogunleye, said that the body had started the process of implementing a live project to showcase best practice urban planning and had picked Messrs UBA Metropolitan Life Plc to offer group insurance to members.

He disclosed that the chapter was also in the process of developing its main secretariat building. "The concept being worked on by the building committee is a fusion of the existing building with the proposed expansion to achieve a six-floor structure," he said.