The Lagos State Government is planning to make a new model city of the present Lagos Island.
Already, a Technical Committee for the preparation of the Lagos Island Model City Plan has been inaugurated.
Speaking with optimism at the inauguration on Tuesday at the Joseph Awogbemi NITP House, Alausa, Ikeja, the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako said a model city plan for Lagos Island will propel redevelopment.
Salako said that that the plan would address sectoral and spatial issues engendered by population explosion, just as it would serve as a guide on land use and approval orders among other planning parameters.
The Technical Committee consists of members from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies who would work together to prepare the plan.
He stated that Lagos Island is one of the two remaining urban settlements yet to be covered with a comprehensive planning document to guide both the present and future growth of the State, the Kosofe Model City Plan which is currently being worked on, being the other.
According to the commissioner, “A Model City Plan for Lagos Island is essential to create a sustainable, organised, livable, business and tourism-friendly environment as well as manage future growth. It will unlock potentials embedded in the huge waterfront assets and develop a framework that will allow Lagos Island to harness its strategic position in the State.”
In his remarks at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development, Mr. Ganiyu Adele Ayuba said the plan represented hope for the re-enactment of the glory of Lagos Island.
Ayuba called on members of the technical committee to view the assignment as a clarion call to serve the State by providing the needed information and technical advice to assist the Consultants on the project.
Lagos Island is home to many banks’ head offices including First Bank of Nigeria and the United Bank for Africa.
It is also home to real estate consultancy firms, electrical appliances manufacturers and retail stores.
Connected to the mainland by three large bridges (the Carter Bridge, the Eko Bridge and the Third Mainland Bridge) which cross Lagos Lagoon to the district of Ebute Metta, it is also linked to the neighbouring island of Ikoyi and Victoria Island.
Forming the main commercial district of Lagos, Lagos Island plays host to government buildings, shops and offices as well as religious buildings like the Catholic and Anglican Cathedrals, and the Central Mosque.
Historically, Lagos Island, known traditionally as Isale Eko, houses the official residence of the Oba of Lagos at Iga Idungaran and is the location of the Brazilian Quarters where the majority of the slave trade returnees from Brazil settled.
Many families lived on Broad Street in the Marina but these dwellings are now mostly offices.
The poorer eastern side of the island contains the main markets and poor housing.
The island is extremely crowded and congested and attempts have been made to build new roads out over the lagoon in order to improve traffic flows.
