The Lagos State Government has said that it will partner with suitable entities on a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) basis to undertake the development and delivery of a wide-range of facilities in the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, said in a statement in Lagos on Sunday that it was in continuation of the government’s commitment to urban development and expansion of business opportunities.
The statement said that the facilities included residential apartments, shopping and business malls, recreation parks, hotels, theme parks, zoos, car parks and other facilities that would add to modern city lifestyle.
It said the idea was conceived to provide Lagos with world-class residential, business, recreational and other facilities that would measure up to what was obtainable in other mega cities of the world.
The statement disclosed that the facilities include the former Falomo Complex.
“The government is seeking proposals under PPP on how the site can be redeveloped into a world-class residential condominium complex with the full complement of lifestyle-enhancing facilities and complete communities’ direction strategy.
“The site is to be developed as a low density, mixed use residential facility that would include the integration of the multi-use nature of the area.
“Also, under the PPP redevelopment programme, the government has made available lands in various locations across the state on which it intends that malls, hotels and other lifestyle facilities would be established.
“The areas include Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, Badagry, Ikorodu, Ojokoro, Gbagada, Oshodi and Amuwo-Odofin,’’ it quoted Ayorinde as saying.
It added that the government was also interested in having a complete make-over of the CMS Marina axis to bring it up to standard comparable to similar choice locations in the world.
It said that with the planned inauguration of the Blue Line of the Lagos light rail project in December, the government intended to redevelop the entire stretch of the Marina starting from the Apongbon end to the NECOM House end of the Marina.
The statement said that government intended to have multi-level car parks, shops, offices, restaurants, among others all positioned in an integrated design to create a more harmonious experience for shoppers and other visitors to the Marina.
It noted that the area was the prime business location and undisputed hub for commercial activities in the state. It said that for this reason, the government intended to redevelop the stretch in line with its actual value and importance by having a comprehensive development scheme that would have all the state of the art features.
The statement said that government planned to develop the location of the cancelled Paradise Residential Scheme on the Anthony/Oworoshoki/Oshodi Expressway to a recreational and theme park with elements of educational, entertainment and leisure activities.
It said that the same was being considered for areas at the Yaba interchange on the Third Mainland Bridge with integrated water sporting activities on the expansive and serene waters of the Lagos lagoon.
The statement said this was proposed with a commercial scale boat jetty to provide a gateway for water transportation so as to increase the inter-modal transport system in the state.
It said the government was also interested in bringing to the Epe/Ejirin Road abutting the Sala Metal Crushing Plant, a world class leisure park cum lifestyle facilities.
It added that the proposal would include retreat and conferencing facilities which would provide support to the nearby Lekki Free Trade Zone.
“A zoo on about 50 hectares of land is also being considered for the Epe axis to provide the sector at this stage before urban sprawl would make it more difficult to do so in the future.
“These initiatives will help in positioning the state as one of the best cities to live and work in the African continent.”
The proposed wholesale urban renewal across the nook and crannies of the Lagos Mega City region is a welcome development. It is the only way that the mega city can attract international investors. For a city to be attractive for business and for tourism, the issue of infrastructure, mobility, avenue for relaxation/entertainment, security and government incentive is key.
The LASG must go the extra mile in ensuring that those private investors are those who are serious-minded and capable. Doing unnecessary favour to those who have no pedigree of excellent job performance would put the good intention of the state government in jeopardy.
Tpl. yacoob abiodun
Hayward, CA
USA