Public presentations on model city plans for the Mainland Central and Badagry sub-region masterplan were held last week in Lagos.

For instance, the public presentation of the first phase report on the Mainland City Model Plan, held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere revealed distortion in the once well-planned area, while the Badagry report also revealed the growing challenges in the corridor.

Presenting the report at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere venue of the meeting, the consultant to the project, Messrs Dar al Handasar, explained that the findings were sub-divided into such topics as existing spatial distribution, land use distribution, emerging proposed development, identified blighted areas, social infrastructure, such as transportation, sewage facilities, markets, and drainage systems among others.

According to the consultants, the survey, which was carried out in Iddo, Otto, Akoka, Yaba, Alagomeji, Ebutte-Metta, Coker, Constain, Mushin, Suru-Lere, Palmgrove, Obele Oniwala, Orile Iganmu, Idi-Oro, Onipanu, Olaleye, Iponri and Ijesha - all areas to be captured in the proposed Mainland Central Plan - was conceived to "rejuvenate and revitalise" areas that have suffered decay in the metropolis.

Recommended development action on the project, titled "Regenerate and Re-brand Mainland Central Areas on existing assets" include:

• Expansion of the central business district to Iddo;

• creation of "Mainland Central" in Yaba;

• creation of a 'knowledge city' refering to the consecration of higher institutions in the area;

• creation of a 'Cultural Corridor' between Iddo and Mainland Centre centre;

• creation of an 'Airport City,' with improved links with the international and local airports;

• creation of "Port City" corridor along the Apapa Expressway;

• expansion of existing Ebutte-Metta neighbourhoods towards the water front; and,

• regeneration of Mushin and Shomolu neighbouhoods with clear community centres.

According to a representative of the consultants, Mr. Mike Hanson, the lack of adequate infrastructure provides the basis for re-planning areas, with new facilities planned to meet the requirement of future development.

According to him, standard issues to be addressed include provision of drainage channels, water taps, electricity supply for food preservation, toilet facilities, and waste disposal systems.

Among other facilities earmarked for redevelopment are; solid waste management, improper use of open space, road expansion and rehabilitation, and the upgrade of slum areas with possible removal of illegal buildings.

There was also plans to identify light industrial zones that can be utilised for recycling wastes within the project area.

Besides, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Francisco Bolaji Abosede, also described 'Transport and Connectivity' as "areas of utmost importance."

The aim, he said, is to reduce congestion and improve connectivity between existing and emerging centers, introduce a secondary movement network and introduce a green grid network that capitalises on existing waterways network and open space.

The official start of the contract was put at June 12, 2009, though the survey effectively commenced in July 1 of the same year, while the submission of stage one report was in November 30, 2009.

The work involved three stages, namely; survey, investigation and analysis of existing situation; formulation of development strategy and formulation of a draft model city plan; and, the finalisation of the plan, submission of concept for infrastructure system and action area plans.

Responding to queries at the meeting, a representative of market women and men at the Tejuosho market, Alhaja Modinat Adeyinka, urged the consultant and government to ensure that their needs were incorporated in the redevelopment plan.

She urged government officials to remember those whose stalls were destroyed, while the new plan should create room for trading activities.

Alhaji Rasheed Gbadamosi, representing the Ijesha community, also asked for quick completion of the exercise. According to him, the mainland, at the time of colonial administration, had the best and most functional infrastructure in the region.

"Go to Ebute-metta today, the areas that were occupied by the colonialists and their Nigerian counterparts were well planned with the necessary amenities. That is what we want government to replicate in this exercise."

Contract for the Badagry Sub Region Master plan began in October 23, 2009 and effectively commenced in December last year.

Areas covered under this project include Ijanikin, Ajegunle, FESTAC, Okokomaiko, Ishasi, Agboju, Satellite Town, Barracks, Alaba and Iba.

The basic reasons and the context setting for the region are:

• The Badagry sub-region is urbanising at a rapid rate and development is now spreading west of the Ologe Lagoon;

• the Badagry Expressway upgrade and other transport projects will reduce travel times to the centre of Lagos and enhance its attractiveness as a commuter belt;

• the sub region contains vast areas of attractive and un-spoilt natural reserves right on the door step of the Lagos Metropolitan area; and

• much of the easily developable land has now been urbanised with new development encroaches onto swamps.

Identified planning issues listed, according to the survey, are that:

• health care provision across the sub-region is imbalanced;

• isolated rural communities lack access to secondary school provision;

• open space provision is limited, although, there is scope to enhance access to the natural environment;

• only 50 percent of the population has access to pipe-borne water provision;

• existing storm water channels are in a poor condition - they are subjected to the disposal of garbage, refuse and debris, thus, reducing the efficiency of the system;

• there is no functioning sanitation and wastewater collection services;

• many roads are unpaved and all roads suffer from poor maintenance; and,

• congestion at peak times is severe, traffic management is poor and there is an inadequate public transport service.

Marked for provision are development of Ologe Lagoon into a 'Green City,' protection of the shoreline, educational development, improved agricultural development, especially, the cocoanut tree and sugar cane, new cities on the Lagoon/ocean shorelines, with the details yet to be provided.

The project is also to address the issues of waterways, drainage facilities, environmental issues and tourism development, among others.