Lagos Insists Computer Village Must be Relocated

By Dipo Olowookere

Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State, Mr Steve Ayorinde, on Sunday reaffirmed the state government’s determination to achieve the objectives of the renewed Ikeja Model City Master Plan originally conceived to address infrastructural challenges in the capital city.

Mr Ayorinde said in a statement today that according to the Ikeja Model City Master Plan, the present Computer Village was designed for residential use and that the government will adhere to the plans to make the area more organized, serene and habitable.

The Commissioner said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was desirous of making Ikeja a model city and would leave no stone unturned in actualizing the relocation of the Computer Village to the new site in Katangowa, Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area.

Mr Ayorinde explained that the state government has not issued any permit to any individual or organization for the construction of an ICT specialized mall directly beside the newly built Ikeja Bus Terminal, adding that such move is not in sync with the state government’s regeneration plan for the capital city.

The Commissioner said that as a sign of the state government’s genuine commitment to the relocation of the Computer Village from Ikeja to Katangowa, the take-off of the Katangowa project is already in its final stage of implementation, even as the government is working round the clock towards ensuring its speedy completion.

He disclosed that the government had met with the executive members of Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN) where it (the government) reiterated its commitment to the relocation plan.

While urging the general public to disregard any insinuation that might be suggesting the possibility of a spurious ICT mall, the Commissioner stated that the current administration in the state acknowledges the entrepreneurial spirit of hardworking Lagosians who are contributing their quota to the growth and development of both the formal and informal sectors and would, therefore, continue to do its best to support their endeavours.