Lagos warns against abuse of open spaces, unveils Ikorodu transformation plan

The Lagos State Government has warned against the use of open spaces for illegal activities, especially for miscreants specialised in assaulting residents, theft, and causing disorderliness.

This was disclosed at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Lagos State Planning and Environmental Monitoring Authority (LASPEMA) in Ikorodu.

The meeting on Wednesday held at the Ikorodu North LCDA secretariat brought together government officials, community leaders, and residents to discuss plans for transforming the open space at Sabo-Ikorodu by Ile Epo Oba into a safe, orderly, and vibrant hub for business and transit.

LASPEMA general manager Daisi Oso said the project involves landscaping and beautifying the area to ensure the new space is functional and attractive.

Oso also noted the growing concerns in the Sabo area, particularly the abuse, misuse, and disorderliness in the area.

According to him, the Sabo-Ikorodu open space has become a hotspot for crime, such as bag snatching and phone theft, which are common, especially in the early mornings and evenings, making the space unsafe for residents and commuters.

“What we are doing here is not just for single people; it is for the whole community, all Lagosians. That place, by the time we transform it, is going to play host to orderliness and beauty, where you can say, ‘Oh, indeed, this is how our city should look like,” he said.

He added that the transformation plan will include the deployment of essential services to ensure the safety and well-being of residents and commuters, including the police, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), and Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) to address emergencies and reduce response times, especially in the event of accidents.

Oso also noted the need to bring primary healthcare services directly to the area and to the people working and living in these informal settings who often neglect their health, citing low immunisation rates and inadequate access to healthcare for children.

He, however, pledged to work closely with traders, transporters, and other stakeholders during the redevelopment and called for maximum cooperation from all stakeholders to support the initiative and participate in the transformation process.

“This transformation is about all of us working together. The success of this project will depend on the full cooperation of everyone here today, and I am confident that, together, we can make Sabo-Ikorodu a place we can all be proud of,” he said.

The Executive Chairman of Ikorodu North LCDA, Adeola Adebisi Banjo, also pointed out the importance of reclaiming the space, saying, “The incidental open space at Sabo/Ile Epo Oba has become a hideout for criminals, where crimes such as drug pushing and even rape occur.

“Residents cannot fully work through the area, either in the morning or the night, without fear of being attacked. This engagement is a timely intervention aimed at transforming the space into a safe, functional, and community-centered area.”

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Abiodun Olumide, commended the project’s vision and called for collective responsibility to ensure its success.

“In Lagos State, we are ready to change the face of our environment. We are ready to be like New York, London, and Dubai. But for us to achieve this, it is not only the responsibility of the government—it is a collective responsibility of everyone, both the government and the people,” Olumide said.

Meanwhile, Nurudeen Agbaje, Special Adviser on Rural Development to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the project as a forward-thinking initiative that will position Ikorodu for future growth.

“This plan gives us both a present advantage and a futuristic one. It prepares Ikorodu to grow into a semi-urban, developed area and ensures the space will be a centre of security, economic activity, and organised urban living,” he said.