Computer Village Ikeja is residential not commercial area – LASG

Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on eGIS and Urban Development Dr. Olajide Abiodun Babatunde has said the state government is committed to the regeneration and development of urban areas of the state.

Babatunde disclosed this on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the Computer Village, Ikeja, where he stressed that area is residential and not commercial area.

A statement by Director, Public Affairs at LASBCA, Olaoye Olusegun quoted the special adviser as saying the Computer Village area within the state law is a residential but had grown into a full-blown market, which is against the Modern City Plan of the state.

He said the present administration led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was committed to the restoration of the master plan of Lagos which is being degraded and distorted.

He said, “The relocation of Computer Village presently in Ikeja to Kantagua in the Abule-Egba area of the state is in progress and when fully completed will boast of world-class facilities such as schools, hospitals, clinics, hotels, banking facilities, warehouses and storage rooms, which will make shopping more conducive and befitting of the mega city status as envisaged by the governor and as obtained in other modern cities of the world.”

“The current location of computer village in Ikeja was planned to be a residential area and that plan is being distorted by commercial activities within the area. We cannot fold our hands and allow the distortion to go on. The residential status of that area must be restored.”

He said further, “We are trying to do things in proper ways that will ensure that urban centres are regenerated, redeveloped, innovated, conserved in line with the THEMES+ agenda of present administration.

“The Computer Village area still remains a Residential Area and its Land Use has not been changed by the state government and this is the main reason the government is relocating the traders to Katangua for proper settlement.”

“If the rules say it is a residential area, then it must remain a residential area. Therefore, the government has to make provision and also accommodate the people who are in this area and that is the reason why the state government is developing Katangua into a model market,” he added.

He noted that Lagos State’s exponential growth would have serious consequences on its urban space if not properly planned. Hence the need for the relocation of the Computer Village to a more spacious area that would not have traffic implications and other consequences on the citizens.

The Special Adviser assured the shop owners and traders that the planned relocation would be transparent.

He said the state government would carry them along as nothing would be imposed on them.

He stressed that the relocation of the market would be done in consultation with all relevant stakeholders including the markets associations and owners of properties in the area.

Babatunde hinted that the regeneration and development of urban Lagos is not limited to the Computer Village alone but across the state.

He disclosed that shortly Lagosians would start feeling the positive impact of the redevelopment plans on traffic decongestion, security implications and other positive areas.

Accompanied on the assessment tour of the Computer Village are top management of the Lagos State Building Control Agency led by the General Manager, Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki.