The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to promote sustainable urban development by engaging professional consultants to review and prepare strategic development schemes, while simultaneously warning contractors handling key housing projects against delays.
The initiative, spearheaded by the New Towns Development Authority (NTDA), is aimed at ensuring orderly physical development, improving land administration and delivering well-planned communities in line with the state’s long-term master plan.
Speaking during an inception meeting with the consultants, the General Manager of the NTDA, Olakunle Aboyeji, said the authority was mandated to establish new towns, develop government schemes, provide infrastructure within government estates and coordinate large-scale physical development across the state.
He explained that the agency also oversees site selection for government ministries, departments, agencies and private developers, monitors unauthorised developments within government estates, and periodically reviews existing development schemes to reflect changing urban realities.
According to Aboyeji, the consultants will update the layout plan and review the Approval Order for Lekki Peninsula Scheme I, conduct a comprehensive inventory of scheme areas within the Badagry Corridor, prepare a detailed layout for the proposed New Town in Ise-Igbogun, Ode Omi and adjoining communities, as well as commence preliminary work on the proposed Epe Development Scheme Phase II.
He noted that the assignments are expected to facilitate the continuous expansion of government schemes through properly planned site-and-services layouts and private developer projects while ensuring full compliance with the Lagos State Master Plan.
Aboyeji also disclosed that the NTDA is collaborating with the Lands Bureau and the Office of the State Surveyor-General to strengthen coordinated land administration and improve project implementation.
In a related development, the state government has expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of work on some of its ongoing housing projects, warning that contractors who fail to meet agreed timelines risk sanctions.
Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, issued the warning during an inspection of the Egan-Igando Mixed Housing Scheme, the Joint Venture Housing Scheme in Ipaja and the Lagos State Workers’ Village in Ipaja.
He stressed that the administration would not allow underperforming contractors to undermine its commitment to expanding access to affordable housing for residents.
Also speaking, the Head of the Town Planning Services Department, Olusola Orebiyi, commended the consultants for their prompt mobilisation and urged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, quality and regulatory compliance in executing the assignments within the stipulated timelines.
He assured them of the NTDA’s full cooperation and institutional support throughout the implementation of the projects.
