The Lagos State government has called on the residents and indigenes of Epe area of the State to support its quest to achieve a Model Mega Lagos that will be the envy of the world, assuring that the ongoing development within the region is a glimpse of more developmental projects to come.
The State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Abiola Anifowoshe who made the plea on Thursday in Epe during an interactive session involving residents of Epe and stakeholders in the built sector, urged the residents to be prepared to make needful sacrifices for the overall growth of the entire region.
Tpl. Anifowoshe said that the level of cooperation and understanding already displayed by Epe indigenes in respect of the ongoing road construction works in the axis would further encourage investors as well as bring about more of government presence.
”I want to plead with our people to see whatever pains they might be passing through now as a needed one for a long term development because all over the world, development comes with minimal pains that would eventually translate into a long term enjoyment even for posterity yet unborn,” he added.
According to him, the vision of the State government is to transform the entire Lagos metropolis to be at par with globally renowned cities that have enviable track records in proper urban planning and physical development.
Anifowoshe said that plans are ongoing to turn Epe Marina to a prototype of Dubai among other laudable projects already included in the proposed Epe Master Plan, stressing that physical planning has a great role to play in achieving sustainable development.
He said that the Master Plan had been designed to incorporate some sensitive and cherished monuments and artifacts of Epe indigenes, reiterating that the State government is only redesigning and redeveloping the entire landscape of Epe in line with best standards.
The Commissioner promised participants at the stakeholders’ session that the process of obtaining building plan approvals has been simplified and decentralised to encourage prospective builders.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community and Communications, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan called on the residents to play their roles to complement all efforts already being put in place by the State government.
He envisaged that Epe would soon become one of the major cities not only in the State but also in the country considering the massive development currently ongoing in the area.
The General Manager of Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), Tpl. Remi Oni-Orisan said that the State government believes that beneficiaries of every of its projects and programmes must not only be carried along but be involved in the planning from inception, thus the engagement of residents of Epe in an interactive session to seek their collaboration in the implementation of the Master Plan for the axis in a way that would promote communal mutuality.
”As a government, we know that it is better to avoid enforcing rules and policies on our people because a major fall out of enforcement is that it does not only lead to huge losses, it creates bad blood between the government and the governed and may probably result into suspicion and rebellion on the part of the populace, hence the need for this stakeholders session,” he said.
Also, the Sole Administrator of Epe Local Government, Hon. Olu Ogunnuji urged aggrieved members of the public with any misgivings or issues arising from the construction works presently going on in the axis to report to the authorities of the Council for necessary action.
He said that Governor Ambode, being an indigene of Epe would not inflict any hardship on his fellow kinsmen or any resident in other parts of the State, stressing that the Governor is particularly keen about the development of Epe.
