The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Toyin Ayinde

  • Institute canvases people-oriented town planning for sustainable development

    The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) says only a people-oriented town planning will guarantee a sustainable physical national and regional development for the country.

    The National President of NITP, Mr Luka Achi made the statement in Awka on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ town hall meeting organised to sensitise them on their role in physical town planning.

    Achi said since the people were beneficiaries of all development activities, professional practice responsive to their needs could not evolve without their inputs.

    He said the thrust of the institute’s activities had been to ensure good and professional service delivery both to the government and public.
    “However, there are lots of misconceptions about town planning; a reason why the people and government are not compelled to key into physical planning.

    “People must begin to appreciate and be part of town planning process, understand its benefits so that they can compel the political leadership to embark on physical development of settlements in line with plans,” Achi said.

    The national president stressed that the institute was poised to building a synergy with the people and other allied professionals in building a friendly environment.

    Achi was represented by Mr Lekwa Ezuta, the First National Vice President of NITP.

    Also speaking, Mr Toyin Ayinde, Second National Vice President and Former Commissioner for Physical Planning, Lagos state, lamented the failure of political leaders and administrators to draw people-oriented master plans over the years.

    “The problem has been the failure of planning and not necessarily the failure of town planners.

    “The people should be aware of their environment and to be able to say this is what should happen in a particular environment.

    “The first advantage is that when people have inputs, they take ownership of such projects and they will want to also ensure that it is implemented because it is their vision,” he said.

    In his welcome address, the state chairman of NITP, Mr Joachin Ulasi, explained that the inaugural stakeholders’ meeting was a template for the institute to commence sensitisation on better ways to build environments.

    Ulasi expressed the hope that the town hall meeting would improve administration of physical planning by government for an easier and more effective application and result.

  • Lagos identifies 232 defective building

    Lagos identifies 232 defective building

    Lagos State Government has identified a total of 232 defective buildings across the state.

    The state Commissioner for Physical Planning, Mr. Toyin Ayinde, who disclosed this at a press conference in Alausa, on Monday, said information about some of these defective structures were received via the Short Message Service (SMS) , emails and telephone calls sent to the government by concerned residents.

    He said apart from the defective structures, the government also sealed up 1,939 buildings which failed to comply with the state physical planning regulations, adding that government is not relenting in its effort to ensure that incidences of building collapse are nipped in the bud.

    He explained that the government has made tremendous progress in the plan to relocate Okobaba saw milling industry from Ebute-Metta to Agbowa in Ikosi-Ejinrin Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

    “This is our flagship regeneration project which is multi-dimensional in the sense that will catalyze growth and thus bring about increase in real estate value,”  he said.

    Ayinde said the project would also provide a specialization centre for wood related industry, pave way for the clean-up of the entire Okobaba-Makoko axis and allow the regeneration of the highly valued waterfront ambience.

     

  • Why buildings collapse, by commissioner

    Why buildings collapse, by commissioner

    Why do buildings collapse frequently in Lagos? It is because of developers’ greed, use of substandard materials; emergence of ‘room lords’; failure to report  infractions and the use of unqualified professionals, says Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development Mr Toyin Ayinde.

    He called on residents to place value on human lives rather than that of property by reporting promptly any illegal construction, structurally deficient and distressed buildings noticeable in their area. Ayinde promised instant action on such information.

    The commissioner warned people to stay clear of buildings that show signs of weakness, particularly those that have been marked as structurally distressed by the relevant agencies of government. This, he said, has become imperative in view of the recent collapse of buildings in various parts of the state.

    The Commissioner re-affirmed efforts of the government at enforcing relevant Physical Planning and Urban Development laws, noting that it is an indispensable tool for sanitising the building and construction industry and preventing illegal and non conforming developments.

    He solicited for the cooperation of the relevant security agencies in ensuring the prosecution of erring developers, contractors and building owners, who deliberately or ignorantly circumvent building regulations, engage in sharp practices, build or renovate without appropriate permits or compromise standard at the expense of human lives.

    He assured residents that the government is poised to do everything possible to reduce to the barest minimum the occurrence of building collapse in the state.

  • Lagos to create new port city

    HOW will Apapa in Lagos look like when it becomes a port city? It will boast of modern amenities which will be second to none, says the government.

    To actualise this dream, it assembled stakeholders in Apapa to make input into a draft of making the place a new port city.

    Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Toyin Ayinde said the vision of the Model City Plan is to create a modern Port City that is functional, conducive and well integrated with other parts of the state.

    He said the idea is to create a modern city which promotes integrated, well connected and sustainable community that is conducive for habitation and business as well as attractive to recreation, tourism and commerce, adding that the plan covers the southern part of the state, consisting of Apapa Local Government Area, Apapa-Iganmu, Local Government Development Area (LCDA) and parts of Eti-Osa West and Oriade LCDA.

    Ayinde said the Model City Plan, among other things, would provide effective framework for residential, industrial, commercial and institutional development in addition to facilitating inter modal transport system, social cohesion, steady economic growth and liveable aesthetic environment.

    The Commissioner said the plan when implemented would bring investment opportunities in commerce and tourism with a unique and pragmatic plan to effect efficient security systems.

    He regretted that the problem of Apapa started with the oil boom that attracted tankers and articulated vehicles to the area that destroyed the road and other infrastructure.

    Noting the development constraints encountered by the state government, he said it include Federal Government’s acquisitions of properties, water bodies, tank farms, flooding and irregular land tenure.  He said Apapa have the potential to offer employment opportunities at the ports and other major sectors in the area as a result of its accessibility through different modes of transport, future transport link, water front and housing development.

    He asked residents to make inputs into the draft proposal to have a model city of their choice that will not only be livable with modern amenities and services but also provide a platform for modern industrial outlays, safety of lives and property where wealth will be created for all residents.

    Apapa GRA Chairman, Brig-Gen Aremu Vaughan Olushola, decried the frequent change of use of buildings in the upscale area. He said at the last count, about four brothels, 18 hotels and four markets has sprung in the area causing nuisance to residents. He urged the government to take serious action to stop such action in the model city in order to encourage orderliness and harmonious living.

    Olushola also frowned at the non- implementation of a judgment in favour of the residents against Okada riders compelling them to stop plying their trade in Apapa. He encouraged the government to insist on the strict interpretation and implementation of the model city plan.

    A resident, Mr. Babatunde Bamigbose Daniel, asked the government to improve the littoral towns in the state to reduce the population of Apapa and also discourage Tank Farms in the model city. Another resident, Mr Isiaka Lawal, asked that maintenance culture be imbibed in the model city plan for it not to go the way of the others.

    Prince Ojora Akiolu asked that the project should be used to create employment for residents and not for outsiders. He frowned at a situation where rather than enriching the lives of residents through employment generation, outsiders would be employed.