Monday, April 20, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Lagos intensifies coordination of master plans
Lagos intensifies coordination of master plans
The Punch, Monday April 13, 2009
Akinpelu Dada
I N a bid to properly organise and coordinate the development of the different parts of the state, the Lagos State Government will this year intensify work on the preparation of a number of development guides and master plans.
Preliminary survey works have commenced on both the Badagry and the Lagos Mainland Central Master Plan projects, which contracts were awarded earlier in the year.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Bolaji Abosede, who disclosed this on Thursday at a press briefing to commemorate the second anniversary of the Governor Babatunde Fashola?s administration, said that field works on the Ikorodu Master Plan had been concluded, while the preliminary report was ready for review.
On the Ikeja Model City Plan, which was recently presented to stakeholders, the he said the state?s executive council had approved it and that the final report would soon be ready.
The council has also approved the proposal for the preparation of the Alimosho Model City Plan, which is currently awaiting the consideration of the state Consultancy Board.
On the planned relocation of the Oko Baba Sawmill, Abosede said that the Agbowa site approved for the resettlement of its operators had been cleared for sand filling and redevelopment with a Memorandum of Understanding already agreed with developers under the Public-Private Partnership model.
He said that work was progressing on the redevelopment of the Tejuosho Market, with the construction of the basement floor and DPC level.
Similarly, he said, work on the redevelopment of the Oyingbo Market is under way and is currently at the substructure level, while the development of the Oluwole Market had commenced with the resettlement of the residents, just as actual construction had reached the third floor level.
The site of the Ikorodu Regional Foodstuffs Market, according to Abosede, is being prepared for possession under a PPP arrangement. The site would, upon completion, host market men and women who would be moved from the Mile 12 Market.
The ministry has also cleared the site of the Ikeja Shopping Plaza with actual development scheduled to commence soon.
On site selection, design and relocation, the commissioner said that the ministry was currently working on the ECOWAS Wholesale Market, Badagry; and the relocation of auto parts dealers to Mowe and the Computer Village from Ikeja to Oke Odo in Alimosho.
In the last one year, Abosede said that the ministry had successfully tackled the demolition of the partially collapsed Bank of Industry building on Broad Street with the site being currently cleared, while the design of the development proposal for the area around the site was ongoing.
He noted that the ministry was also establishing the alignment of Right of Way of the10-lane Badagry Expressway to incorporate the light rail corridor; the Lekki-Epe Expressway and coastal road; Yaba-Oyingbo Way, and was taking inventory of properties within the alignments.
Abosede said that the ministry would also ensure the removal of structures within the alignments and the integration of existing layouts into the road alignments.
He said, "The ministry intends to pursue further the public participation through inclusive governance by intensifying our efforts in public-private partnership, expand the scope for a sustainable development as well as assert our statutory responsibilities should the need arise. This will give Lagos the new face as one of the worlds mega cities."
The Punch, Monday April 13, 2009
Akinpelu Dada
I N a bid to properly organise and coordinate the development of the different parts of the state, the Lagos State Government will this year intensify work on the preparation of a number of development guides and master plans.
Preliminary survey works have commenced on both the Badagry and the Lagos Mainland Central Master Plan projects, which contracts were awarded earlier in the year.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Bolaji Abosede, who disclosed this on Thursday at a press briefing to commemorate the second anniversary of the Governor Babatunde Fashola?s administration, said that field works on the Ikorodu Master Plan had been concluded, while the preliminary report was ready for review.
On the Ikeja Model City Plan, which was recently presented to stakeholders, the he said the state?s executive council had approved it and that the final report would soon be ready.
The council has also approved the proposal for the preparation of the Alimosho Model City Plan, which is currently awaiting the consideration of the state Consultancy Board.
On the planned relocation of the Oko Baba Sawmill, Abosede said that the Agbowa site approved for the resettlement of its operators had been cleared for sand filling and redevelopment with a Memorandum of Understanding already agreed with developers under the Public-Private Partnership model.
He said that work was progressing on the redevelopment of the Tejuosho Market, with the construction of the basement floor and DPC level.
Similarly, he said, work on the redevelopment of the Oyingbo Market is under way and is currently at the substructure level, while the development of the Oluwole Market had commenced with the resettlement of the residents, just as actual construction had reached the third floor level.
The site of the Ikorodu Regional Foodstuffs Market, according to Abosede, is being prepared for possession under a PPP arrangement. The site would, upon completion, host market men and women who would be moved from the Mile 12 Market.
The ministry has also cleared the site of the Ikeja Shopping Plaza with actual development scheduled to commence soon.
On site selection, design and relocation, the commissioner said that the ministry was currently working on the ECOWAS Wholesale Market, Badagry; and the relocation of auto parts dealers to Mowe and the Computer Village from Ikeja to Oke Odo in Alimosho.
In the last one year, Abosede said that the ministry had successfully tackled the demolition of the partially collapsed Bank of Industry building on Broad Street with the site being currently cleared, while the design of the development proposal for the area around the site was ongoing.
He noted that the ministry was also establishing the alignment of Right of Way of the10-lane Badagry Expressway to incorporate the light rail corridor; the Lekki-Epe Expressway and coastal road; Yaba-Oyingbo Way, and was taking inventory of properties within the alignments.
Abosede said that the ministry would also ensure the removal of structures within the alignments and the integration of existing layouts into the road alignments.
He said, "The ministry intends to pursue further the public participation through inclusive governance by intensifying our efforts in public-private partnership, expand the scope for a sustainable development as well as assert our statutory responsibilities should the need arise. This will give Lagos the new face as one of the worlds mega cities."
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Lagos to Spend $10 Billion On Rail Projects in 25 Years
The Lagos State government is to spend $10bilion in the next twenty five years to execute its seven rail development projects in the state.
Construction of the first two lines are expected to commence by the middle of this year while bids for the selection of investors are billed to be opened next week.
Indications to this emerged just as the state governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), prepares to address a stakeholder's forum in the next two months on the implications of the new rail projects, which is estimated to cost $1.2billlion.
The forum, which is also coming on the heels of the flag-off of construction of the new ten lane Lagos - Badagry Expressway, is intended to address the complaints of those likely to be affected by the demolition exercise on the right of way of the expressway. The demolition is to provide space for the multiple purpose nature of the road, which will include the BRT track, Light rail line and lanes for other vehicles plying the ever busy route.
Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, who disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Sunday Independent during the week, explained that response from investors to the financing and execution of the project, which would be on a build and operate basis for twenty five years, has been overwhelming. The construction period is estimated for three years.
He disclosed that the state government has moved away from the initial population projection of 25 million in 2015 to 40 million persons considering the impact of the two new rail projects, which is expected to move at least 30,000 passengers per hour and 1.3 million passengers per day.
On the benefits of the rail project, Mobereola said it is meant to address the issue of poverty, as people would spend less on transportation thereby conserving money for other basic needs instead of spending a huge chunk of their income on road transportation with its multiplier effect on standard of living.
Besides, he noted that successive governments have not been able to come to terms with the imperatives of the project because of the lack of political will, adding that the present government in Lagos has demonstrated enough will to tackle once and for all the problems of transportation in the state with the adoption of the strategic plan by the LAMATA.
The rail project tagged Blue and Red Lines would run between Okokomaiko and Iddo, and Ijoko - Iddo respectively. It is expected to kick start the rail development project which forms the major plank of the government's plan for the anticipated mega city status of Lagos.
Speaking further, the LAMATA boss said the rail development project will also form the plank of the government's effort to reduce poverty and create employment while also making life more comfortable to the citizenry as they would spend less time commuting from any part of the state.
To complement the new rail lines he said the state government is planning to extend the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) to nine new routes including the Iyana-Ipaja, Ikotun, Igando roads and the Oshodi, Apapa, Mile 2 to Wharf roads, while existing roads in these areas would be expanded to accommodate the BRT buses which has recorded a huge success in the state since introduction over a year ago.
Mobereola also disclosed that henceforth reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads now going on in various parts of the state have been standardized such that each of the roads would have four main facilities: walkway, street lights, drainage and driveway measuring at least seven and half meters, which is the standard practice for road construction all over the world.
On water transportation, he also disclosed that the state government has involved the private sector in the development of ferry services by providing infrastructure like jetties and approach-roads, as part of the integrated transportation system being evolved for the state in anticipation of its mega-city status.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
KAMP Ikare....
KAMP Ikare is a beach facility for people who want to enjoy the pleasures of Lagos beach life. It can be used by anyone and for any event.
The basic structure of KAMP is a main communal beach house and 6 duplex cabins positioned around a swimming pool and just meteres from the sea.
Things to know about KAMP...
* A large main communal house with 3 levels
* 6 duplex cabins with private beach gardens
* Swimming pool
* Plunge pool
* Large kitchen facility for catering or self-catered
* Available for day and over-night rentals
KAMP is situated on a stretch of Lagos coast near the village of Ikare. It is accessible by boat.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Lagos approves Habitat 2011 agenda, new planning regulation
FOLLOWING the submission of the report of a technical committee on Policy Reforms on Planning Regulation and Building Control, the Lagos authorities may have endorsed a policy reform initiative that will overhaul the state's physical planning and urban development framework, as it forges towards consolidation of its of a megacity status.
The reform blueprint, tagged the Lagos Habitat 2011 Project, is the product of a 16-member committee, led by Brigadier-General Reis. Members were drawn from state chapters of professional bodies in the built environment and the public sector. The gazette of the committee's recommendations has been drafted and is to be signed into law in a few weeks. The main objectives of the reform package are to:
modernize extant regulations towards the transformation of Lagos into Africa's model mega city;
halt the increasing frequency of building collapse in Lagos;
establish a building control system to minimize the incidence of various building defects arising from bad design, inferior materials and construction leading to fire and health hazards;
to create processes and institutions for effective enforcement of the regulations;
eradicate uncontrolled development due to fast-paced growth in the state;
reduction of slums towards attainment of the Millennium Development Goals and saving the unnecessary cost of relocating slum dwellers;
mitigate security threats posed by several abandoned buildings in the state;
address the prevalent loss of skills amongst building professionals due to lack of statutory certification and continuous education;
enforce structured accreditation procedures for workmen;
formulate a sustainable physical planning and urban development policy for Lagos State;
identify all Government Agencies responsible for lands and development matters with a view to coordinating their activities.
High among the recommendations of the committee is the setting up of the Habitat 2011 board and the branding of all building materials, such as cement blocks, to enable the government to trace the makers. Other major highlights of the new law include the restructuring of the Lagos Physical Planning and Development Authority for operational effectiveness and separate building control from existing framework for planning approval, pending creation of Lagos building Control Agency (LABCA).
Similarly, there would be the review the regional plan for Lagos and prepare development plans for all levels in the state as well as refocus masterplan already commissioned to concentrate on upgrading of infrastructure and improvement of existing development. The on going model city plans are to be replaced with development guides in all local communities and towns, which will act as briefs for regional plan reviews.
The state also plans to set up planning approval appeal committee at the local government level and appeal tribunal at the state level.
Confirming the details last week at the general meeting/presentation of Policy Reforms on Planning Regulation and Building Control organised by Association of Consulting Architects Nigeria (ACAN), Brig-General Reis said in order to exercise control over the quality of materials, the committee recommended the accreditation of all those involved in the building industry from artisans right up to professionals and also building materials suppliers.
The new policy has also provided for a Habitat Centre, a one-stop professional building modeled after the London Building Centre, which caters for the professional groups in the state for easy cooperation and collaboration. The centre will disseminate relevant government publications and display innovative building materials and technology.
Under the new policy framework, the government is expected to conduct a state wide housing needs survey to determine the actual deficit. "Housing is key driver to the environment and the economy. If government embarks on a large scale programme every body will be employed. Right now no body is doing housing seriously. The beauty of housing is that it does not require government's money. All that is required is the political will, " according to the Reis.
Essentially, there will also be a complete reorganization of the town planning approvals processes. A new agency known as Lagos State Physical Planning Agency (LAPPA) is expected to take charge of planning regulation. The LABCA would take over enforcement and demolitions and within the agency; private building certifiers are expected to emerge. Some professional firms could have building control units existing side by side with their practice after getting accreditation with the government.
Another changes coming is the establishment of a community development consortia, which will comprise teams of built environment professionals and representatives of the communities responsible for identifiable neighbourhoods. They are expected to take up all issues in their domain such as infrastructure, building control and urban regeneration through their masterplan as well as act as intermediary between the government and prospective homeowners.
He advised the architects to always make their grievances or suggestion known to government and to initiate projects that will better the life of Lagosians.
Meanwhile, ANAN President, Mr. Roti Delano said that the association is working on a new scale of fees, which will become operation in May. "The 1996 fee scale which most of us are compelled to use is obsolete. Apart from the fact that inflation has made it unrealistic, the deliverables demanded by clients now has changed. Technology has changed. Costs have gone up. In 1996, there was no Internet, no mobile phones; computerization was at its infancy. There is therefore a need for us to critically look at our compensation and take our destiny in our hands.
"We are all aware that our clients who engage foreign architects pay a lot more than we Nigerian get, however the argument has always been that we do not deliver. We believe that with appropriate fee, the Nigerian architects can deliver a lot more than the foreign architect can deliver."
Mr. Delano disclosed that the association started to tackle the issue of incursion by foreign architect and has written to appropriate institutes in South Africa to acquaint them with the matter.
"We therefore need to ensure that foreign architects do not invade us and take up the juicy jobs, which will in return make us jobless. We must be prepared and find ways and means of surviving the global economic crunch," he said.
The reform blueprint, tagged the Lagos Habitat 2011 Project, is the product of a 16-member committee, led by Brigadier-General Reis. Members were drawn from state chapters of professional bodies in the built environment and the public sector. The gazette of the committee's recommendations has been drafted and is to be signed into law in a few weeks. The main objectives of the reform package are to:
modernize extant regulations towards the transformation of Lagos into Africa's model mega city;
halt the increasing frequency of building collapse in Lagos;
establish a building control system to minimize the incidence of various building defects arising from bad design, inferior materials and construction leading to fire and health hazards;
to create processes and institutions for effective enforcement of the regulations;
eradicate uncontrolled development due to fast-paced growth in the state;
reduction of slums towards attainment of the Millennium Development Goals and saving the unnecessary cost of relocating slum dwellers;
mitigate security threats posed by several abandoned buildings in the state;
address the prevalent loss of skills amongst building professionals due to lack of statutory certification and continuous education;
enforce structured accreditation procedures for workmen;
formulate a sustainable physical planning and urban development policy for Lagos State;
identify all Government Agencies responsible for lands and development matters with a view to coordinating their activities.
High among the recommendations of the committee is the setting up of the Habitat 2011 board and the branding of all building materials, such as cement blocks, to enable the government to trace the makers. Other major highlights of the new law include the restructuring of the Lagos Physical Planning and Development Authority for operational effectiveness and separate building control from existing framework for planning approval, pending creation of Lagos building Control Agency (LABCA).
Similarly, there would be the review the regional plan for Lagos and prepare development plans for all levels in the state as well as refocus masterplan already commissioned to concentrate on upgrading of infrastructure and improvement of existing development. The on going model city plans are to be replaced with development guides in all local communities and towns, which will act as briefs for regional plan reviews.
The state also plans to set up planning approval appeal committee at the local government level and appeal tribunal at the state level.
Confirming the details last week at the general meeting/presentation of Policy Reforms on Planning Regulation and Building Control organised by Association of Consulting Architects Nigeria (ACAN), Brig-General Reis said in order to exercise control over the quality of materials, the committee recommended the accreditation of all those involved in the building industry from artisans right up to professionals and also building materials suppliers.
The new policy has also provided for a Habitat Centre, a one-stop professional building modeled after the London Building Centre, which caters for the professional groups in the state for easy cooperation and collaboration. The centre will disseminate relevant government publications and display innovative building materials and technology.
Under the new policy framework, the government is expected to conduct a state wide housing needs survey to determine the actual deficit. "Housing is key driver to the environment and the economy. If government embarks on a large scale programme every body will be employed. Right now no body is doing housing seriously. The beauty of housing is that it does not require government's money. All that is required is the political will, " according to the Reis.
Essentially, there will also be a complete reorganization of the town planning approvals processes. A new agency known as Lagos State Physical Planning Agency (LAPPA) is expected to take charge of planning regulation. The LABCA would take over enforcement and demolitions and within the agency; private building certifiers are expected to emerge. Some professional firms could have building control units existing side by side with their practice after getting accreditation with the government.
Another changes coming is the establishment of a community development consortia, which will comprise teams of built environment professionals and representatives of the communities responsible for identifiable neighbourhoods. They are expected to take up all issues in their domain such as infrastructure, building control and urban regeneration through their masterplan as well as act as intermediary between the government and prospective homeowners.
He advised the architects to always make their grievances or suggestion known to government and to initiate projects that will better the life of Lagosians.
Meanwhile, ANAN President, Mr. Roti Delano said that the association is working on a new scale of fees, which will become operation in May. "The 1996 fee scale which most of us are compelled to use is obsolete. Apart from the fact that inflation has made it unrealistic, the deliverables demanded by clients now has changed. Technology has changed. Costs have gone up. In 1996, there was no Internet, no mobile phones; computerization was at its infancy. There is therefore a need for us to critically look at our compensation and take our destiny in our hands.
"We are all aware that our clients who engage foreign architects pay a lot more than we Nigerian get, however the argument has always been that we do not deliver. We believe that with appropriate fee, the Nigerian architects can deliver a lot more than the foreign architect can deliver."
Mr. Delano disclosed that the association started to tackle the issue of incursion by foreign architect and has written to appropriate institutes in South Africa to acquaint them with the matter.
"We therefore need to ensure that foreign architects do not invade us and take up the juicy jobs, which will in return make us jobless. We must be prepared and find ways and means of surviving the global economic crunch," he said.
Lagos plans new independent power project
The Lagos State Government has entered into a partnership with the Singapore Power Company to build an independent power plant in the state.
This was made public when representatives of the state government and the SPC visited the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, on Friday.
In his speech, the leader of the delegation, Mr. Makanjuola Alabi, said the construction of the IPP was to ensure adequate and stable power supply in Lagos State.
He added that the team was at NERC to solicit its partnership for the state government’s plan to generate adequate power for the residents.
Alabi, who is the Managing Director, Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, said that his team would come back to the commission in a couple of weeks for a presentation of the state’s blueprint on power supply.
He also said that the state government would soon perfect necessary documentation and licensing arrangements to actualise her power generation, transmission and distribution objectives.
In his response, the NERC Administrator, Mallam Immamudeen Talba, commended the initiative and assured the delegates of the commission’s assistance.
Talba said that the Lagos State Government could not have chosen a better partner considering Singapore’s efforts at turning around her history of shortage of power supply to that of adequate and efficient power generation, transmission and distribution system.
He assured the state Government of the Commission’s readiness to consider her application on merit and to offer whatever assistance that could expedite action on the effort at ensuring adequate power supply in the state.
Singapore Power Company has one of the most efficient power technologies in the world and has experiences that cut across various energy sources.
NERC had in the last three years of its operation issued 28 power generation licences and one distribution licence to independent power producers.
The independent power producers are expected to generate 10, 271 mega watts of electricity when they complete their projects.
This was made public when representatives of the state government and the SPC visited the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, on Friday.
In his speech, the leader of the delegation, Mr. Makanjuola Alabi, said the construction of the IPP was to ensure adequate and stable power supply in Lagos State.
He added that the team was at NERC to solicit its partnership for the state government’s plan to generate adequate power for the residents.
Alabi, who is the Managing Director, Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, said that his team would come back to the commission in a couple of weeks for a presentation of the state’s blueprint on power supply.
He also said that the state government would soon perfect necessary documentation and licensing arrangements to actualise her power generation, transmission and distribution objectives.
In his response, the NERC Administrator, Mallam Immamudeen Talba, commended the initiative and assured the delegates of the commission’s assistance.
Talba said that the Lagos State Government could not have chosen a better partner considering Singapore’s efforts at turning around her history of shortage of power supply to that of adequate and efficient power generation, transmission and distribution system.
He assured the state Government of the Commission’s readiness to consider her application on merit and to offer whatever assistance that could expedite action on the effort at ensuring adequate power supply in the state.
Singapore Power Company has one of the most efficient power technologies in the world and has experiences that cut across various energy sources.
NERC had in the last three years of its operation issued 28 power generation licences and one distribution licence to independent power producers.
The independent power producers are expected to generate 10, 271 mega watts of electricity when they complete their projects.
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