The Lagos State Government has again assured residents of Makoko that the regeneration plan for the area would integrate inputs and opinions of the populace.
Giving this assurance in Alausa on Thursday was the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, during a courtesy visit by residents of Makoko, accompanied by the Justice and Empowerment Initiatives (JEI).
The Commissioner, represented by the General Manager, Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA), Ms. Ajibike Shomade, reiterated that while it was imperative to upgrade slums in the State in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda, the Lagos State Government was determined to bring about sustainable development across the State in the most friendly and participatory manner.
“The people should rest assured that they are key and central to our urban regeneration efforts as our commitments are geared towards ensuring that government plans in this direction and their implementation are a win-win for the people”, he said.
He assured that government would continuously engage the people towards ensuring that proposals to redevelop the community had inputs from the residents of Makoko.
Emphasising that the regeneration would bring out the best in the blighted community to showcase its beauty and heritage to the world, Salako urged members of the community to cooperate with the Government on the noble cause.
Earlier, Elsa Rousset, speaking on behalf of the Justice and Empowerment Initiatives, commended the Lagos State Government for its tenacious development agenda and called for community participation and preservation of the heritage of Makoko.
The Baale of Makoko, Chief Yusuf Kumayo, expressed satisfaction with the resolve of the State Government and pledged the cooperation of his community.
Recall that to guide the development of the axis, Lagos State had developed an Action Area Plan covering Oko-baba and Makoko among others, while the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA) had declared and adopted Makoko as an Urban Regeneration Area, alongside 10 other communities in the State.
