By Zika Bobby
Stakeholders in Apapa Local Government Area of Lagos State recently met to discuss ways to finally breath life into the regeneration plan of the area.
The regeneration plan is to help return the roads and the environment that had deteriorated to their original state and reduce the traffic gridlock in the axis.
The event, which brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, showcased the collaboration to transform Apapa into a thriving urban hub. The meeting underscored the vital role of leadership in driving community development and highlighted the remarkable achievements and future plans for the area.
Council chairperson, Mrs. Idowu Adejumoke Senbanjo, who led other stakeholders at the event, said it was time to wake up, as the community had slept for too long.
Senbanjo said the council has made tremendous achievements in security and traffic management, health initiatives and meeting the needs of Apapa residents.
She said the primary objective of her administration was to ensure that the citizens of Apapa live in and enjoy a local government that provides effective grassroots governance and development in a way that attracts businesses, partnerships and collaboration.
“We want to ensure we put in place structures that will help care for our citizens from birth to retirement. We want all our residents and visitors to enjoy once again the beautiful culture and life of Apapa.
“To achieve this, we must work together as citizens, businesses, institutions and government. We have begun the process of turning Apapa into a modern port city.
“During this process we will focus on infrastructure and development, economic and social development and security. As we do this, Apapa will begin to take its pride of place in Lagos State and indeed, Nigeria as a whole,” she said.
Chairman of AGRA, RAdm Austin Oyagha, in his speech called on the GRA and the commercial side to find a way to coexist as Apapa remains the economic nerve gateway Nigeria.
He said: “The Apapa government residential area (GRA) was established in the late forties by the colonial authorities as an elite residential area with a small industrial presence. This policy succeeded in creating a residential area that was foreign gated communities and a lot of light industries were established in the commercial zone. “Examples of such industries include Nigerpak Packaging Limited and the IBRU organisation with fish trawling and other economic activities.
Up to the 80’s, the GRA remained an elite area where it was possible to live safely and in an environment that was comparable to Ikoyi in all aspects. In the 90’s, events caused the steady deterioration of the GRA. These were, the establishment of a market within the GRA. Before this time, the market was on the Ajegunle side of the canal. This opened up several crossing points into the GRA allowing an uncontrolled population which encouraged people to set up illegal shops and trading points all over. Along also came the influx of Okada riders and mechanic villages which distorted the government plan for the area.
Later government decided to allow the establishment of tank farms within Apapa and Apapa Oshodi expressway. These farms were established without the provision of parking or traffic management leading to excessive traffic, road damage, and security problems. Industries and residents began to relocate, and the deterioration accelerated.
In 2022, the current Chairperson of Apapa Local Government decided to take appropriate action to rectify the decline. As a community, we believe Apapa cannot just rectify the decline but become an example of how progress can be made. It must however rest on four main platforms being the coming together and the mutual respect by each of the following: The Apapa GRA and the Ijora Oloye communities, the Apapa Commercial area, the Business community and the local government.
If we do not come together, to listen and discuss with each other in addressing each other’s needs, we will conflict with each other to the detriment of all. We need to look at certain activities that damage the community. Issues of Okada behavior, indiscriminate conversion of property to commercial use within the residential area, poor environmental waste disposal, street trading, and all other ills need to stop.
Activities that damage other people’s wealth or the communal environment cannot be allowed to continue whether it is a residential or a commercial person.
With President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in transforming and regenerating the decay, the stakeholders in Apapa must come together to proffer solutions and work together to achieve this vision and promise.
Apapa being a port city needs to use its location to attract light industry and port support solutions that give jobs to its youth. The youths must feel and be part of any plan if the security and general well-being of the community are not to be jeopardized.
Key areas of economic development include light industry, particularly export-based processing within the Apapa commercial district. Such support enables exports to flourish to the benefit of our country. The provision of reliable and affordable transportation systems using rail, waterways, and Roads. The coordination of waste management agencies and professionals for efficient waste disposal and general area cleaning.
The inclusion of activities to cater to the youths through the encouragement of education and vocational training initiatives skills development programs Entrepreneurship and SME Support.
Social and Environmental impact and community development projects, environmental sustainability initiatives social welfare programs with the establishment of activity centers to engage the elderly in the community.
Entertainment centers, green park areas, sports, and activities for the elderly
Providing infrastructure for the light industry and office development.
Madam Chairperson, we commend and support your vision and urge you not to relent as you reverse the decline and enhance the progress of Apapa.”
The event had in attendance political figures, including Cornelius Ojelabi, Chairman of the APC Lagos State chapter; Chief Okaro, the Igbo leader in Apapa; commercial banks, Dr. Jimi Agbaje, CEO JAYKAY PHARMACY; Madam Ibru, Dr Ade Dosunmu and Tunde Balogun, a GAC member and former APC Chairman of Lagos State, among others.
The post Stakeholders discuss ways to achieve regeneration plan for Apapa appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.