The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, has commenced strategic collaboration with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure the proper documentation, planning and management of informal spaces across the state.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting held in Alausa, organised by the project consultant, Octragon Multi-Project Limited, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Gbolahan Awolesi.
Dr. Olumide explained that the initiative was aimed at systematically documenting all informal spaces, including setbacks, open areas, and common spaces, with a view to clearly designating and optimally utilising them in line with planning standards.
According to him, over the years, the government had cleared several setbacks and common areas that later remained idle or were re-encroached upon due to the absence of proper planning and documentation.
“Common areas are deliberately set aside to enhance environmental quality. This programme is designed to change the narrative by ensuring that informal spaces are properly identified, planned, managed, and put to appropriate use,” the Commissioner stated.
He further noted that Lagos State had an estimated 3,000 hectares of informal spaces, stressing the need for intentional planning to ensure sustainable use.
“We must take charge of informal spaces, be mindful of how they are utilised, and ensure that we operate within a planned and well-managed urban environment,” he added.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Oluwole Sotire, said that the programme would significantly enhance the aesthetic quality of the environment by demonstrating how setbacks and informal spaces could be properly planned and productively utilised.
He emphasised that informal spaces were often wrongly perceived as belonging to no one, noting that such spaces were among the state’s most valuable and limited natural resources, which must be protected and efficiently managed.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mr. Babatunde Onigbanjo, expressed concern about ensuring that the initiative benefited residents without undermining their livelihoods whilst affirming his Ministry’s support for the programme and urging more advocacy.
Also speaking, the representative of the Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Adedeji Aladegbemi, described the initiative as timely and appealed that any informal spaces designated for sports development be allocated to the Commission to help address space constraints and youth engagement challenges.
The General Manager, Lagos State Informal Space Management Authority, Daisi Oso, noted that improper use of setbacks had brought about limited opportunities for youth engagement while assuring proper planning and management of such spaces henceforth.
Similarly, the General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Mr. Babatunde Ajayi, expressed readiness to collaborate on environmental regulation, particularly recycling initiatives.
He revealed plans to establish recycling facilities and designated public toilet spaces within informal areas to curb open defecation, adding that a monitoring directory should be installed in all identified informal spaces.
The Consultant, Gbolahan Awolesi said that Octragon Multi-Project Limited had been mandated to comprehensively document informal spaces across Lagos State and ensure their optimal utilisation in accordance with international best practices.