President, Lekki Estates Residents and Stakeholders Association (LERSA), Olorogun James Emadoye, has appealed to the Lagos State government to adopt proper physical and urban planning measures to tackle the environmental challenges in Lekki and its surrounding communities.
He made the call at a recent meeting convened by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, for the review of the Lekki Masterplan developed by the Lagos State government.
Other stakeholders at the meeting were lawmaker representing Eti-Osa Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Babajide Obanikoro; lawmaker representing Eti-Osa constituency at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Noheem Adams; Chairman of Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area, Abdullahi Sesan, chairmen of Local Council Development Areas in Eti-osa and traditional rulers.
Emadoye observed that the Lekki community does not have adequate infrastructure to accommodate the rising number of businesses, residents and properties in the axis.
He blamed frequent sea dredging and land reclamation activities in various parts of the island for the worsening flood challenge in Lekki and stressed the need for strict regulations by the state government to tackle the issue.
While reiterating the association’s commitment to partnering with the State Government for the development of communities in the Eti-Osa / Ibeju Lekki axis, Emadoye appealed to the Lagos State Government to intervene and regulate the indiscriminate demolition of structures and sealing of premises in the Lekki environs. Lawmaker representing Eti-Osa at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adams urged government to commission the construction of more road infrastructure in the axis, noting that it has become pertinent in view of the rapid development ongoing in Ibeju Lekki and other communities in Eti-Osa.
He said government is developing a masterplan to make Lagos State a 21st century model city, in line with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).