Lagos State Government, through the New Towns Development Authority (NTDA), has begun a new phase of strategic urban development by engaging professional consultants to undertake the planning, review and preparation of key development schemes across the state.

The move is part of efforts to ensure sustainable physical planning, orderly urban growth, and the delivery of well-planned communities.
General Manager of NTDA, Olakunle Aboyeji, who spoke at the inception meeting with consultants, said that the agency had been mandated to establish new towns, develop government schemes, provide infrastructure within government estates, promote large-scale physical development, and undertake site selection for government ministries, agencies, and private developers.

He added that part of its mandates also include monitoring unauthorised developments within government estates, and continuously reviewing and updating existing development schemes.

According to him, the consultants will undertake the update of the layout plan and review of the outdated Approval Order for Lekki Peninsula Scheme I, conduct a comprehensive inventory of scheme areas within the Badagry Corridor, prepare a detailed layout plan for the proposed New Town in Ise-Igbogun, Ode Omi and its environs, and commence preliminary works for the proposed Epe Development Scheme Phase II.

The GM further said that the projects were designed to facilitate the continuous development of government schemes by preparing layouts for site-and-services and private developer schemes, while ensuring full alignment with the Lagos State master plan.

He also disclosed collaboration between the New Towns Development Authority, the Lands Bureau and the Office of the State Surveyor-General to strengthen coordinated land administration and ensure efficient project implementation.

Meanwhile, the state government has issued a stern warning to contractors working at a slow pace on its housing projects, reaffirming its commitment to completing the Egan-Igando Mixed Housing Scheme, the Joint Venture (JV) Housing Scheme in Ipaja, and the Lagos State Workers’ Village in Ipaja.

Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, gave the warning during an inspection tour of the project sites to assess the level of work done and expedite construction to meet delivery timelines.

Akinderu-Fatai, who expressed concern over the sluggish pace of work on certain sections of the projects, said that the state government would not allow non-performing contractors to derail its master plan for affordable housing.

Head of Town Planning Services Department, Olusola Orebiyi, lauded the consultants for their prompt response and appealed for the highest standards of professionalism, quality and compliance while delivering the assignments within the agreed timelines.

He pledged that the NTDA would ensure support and assistance where necessary.