• Begins compensating Mosafejo traders
Gboyega Akinsanmi
The Lagos State Government yesterday said a $70 million transport interchange project currently being developed by Planet Project Limited would completely transform Oshodi into a world-class business district.
The state government said it had already started compensating affected traders at Mosafejo Market, one of the markets it took over to give way for the development of the Oshodi Transport Interchange.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Anifowose Abiola, disclosed this at a news conference he addressed alongside the Special Adviser on Urban Development, Mrs. Yetunde Onabule and Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Boladele Dapo-Thomas, among others.
At the conference, Abiola said the project, which the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode awarded in June 2016, would drive unprecedented commerce and investment into Oshodi and its environs.
He noted that work has already commenced on the Oshodi Transport Interchange, adding that plan to transform Oshodi into a world class Central Business District (CBD) “is already on course.”
When completed before the end of 2018, the commissioner added that the project would have such facilities as international bus terminals, shopping/business malls, local bus interchange, theme parks, car parks and other facilities that will add to a modern city lifestyle.
He explained that the transport interchange “has commenced. When completed, the project will be of immense benefit to all Lagos residents, especially major stakeholders including traders, commuters, transport unions, transport operators and shop owners.
“Redevelopment of Oshodi and its suburb will drive commerce and investment into Oshodi. The traders should embrace the plan just as the case with most urban regeneration in other parts of the world.
“The extent of what the state government is doing for the traders may not be immediately appreciated. But upon completion, traders will realise that the value of your business and your quality of life would have improved tremendously,” Abiola explained.
The commissioner acknowledged that the state government had started paying compensation to traders at Mosafejo Market, assuring that no affected trader would be left uncompensated.
Onabule, Special Adviser on Urban Development, explained the strong need to redevelop Oshodi, noting that the regeneration of Oshodi “will transform the area into a world class district.”
She added that redevelopment of Oshodi “will greatly enhance security of lives and properties in the neighbourhood. It will not only reduce crime in the area, but will also address the environmental nuisance and confusion often associated with the area.
“Oshodi, in its present state, accommodates one million pedestrians daily with 100,000 passengers daily accessing 13 parks scattered within the area, while 76 per cent of the area is dedicated to transport and related activities, causing serious traffic congestion and other environmental issues,
“This project will rebrand and transform Oshodi, thus turning Lagos into a befitting and an iconic international gateway to the rest of the world. It will also ensure an organised transport system that will aid free flowing traffic.”
