Lagos hosts S’West commissioners for Physical and Urban devt
Nike Popoola
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, played host to the inaugural meeting of the south west commissioners for Physical Planning and Urban Development,
on Thursday, at the Protea Select Hotel, Alausa,Ikeja, Lagos.
A statement from the organisation today said Dr. Oluyinka Olumide disclosed that the purpose of the meeting was to deepen regional integration and interstate collaboration as the pathway to sustainable development.
The one day event had the Theme: *Forging Regional Integration Through Coordinated Physical Planning, Urban Development, and Sustainable Land Governance*
The meeting brought together the six commissioners from the south west states – Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo, DAWN commission and the South West Development Commission, top Government officials, urban planners, and development experts, to build a framework for coordinated planning and regional development across the region.
Dr. Olumide emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovative approaches to address the challenges of urbanization, citing Lagos’ expanding population and aspirations for a sustainable future.
“Our convergence here today reflect our shared commitment to a stronger, better-planned South West region. It is imperative to note that this meeting is a follow through from the maiden Lagos Physical Planning Summit 2024 themed: Rethinking Lagos: A new vision for a Regional and Integrated Megacity” he said.
He said the South West region faces rapid urban growth, infrastructure deficits, and housing shortages, requiring coordinated planning and regional cooperation.
Olumide said Key areas for collaboration include; managing cross-border land use, shared waste management, and strengthening regional transportation networks.
The Commissioners from the South West States, during their respective remarks commended the initiative of the Lagos State Government and commended the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for championing this course.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Engr. Oluwole Sotire, reiterated on one of the resolutions at the maiden Lagos Physical Planning Summit, which was the reason for the meeting.
He seized the opportunity to announced the 2.0 edition of the Lagos Physical Planning Summit, which will come in the month of June and extended Invitations to the delegates of the South west, DAWN Commission and the South West Development Commission.
At the end of the meeting, the following Resolutions were considered and concluded:
Regional integration shall be pursued as a central strategy for sustainable development, with a functional and corridor-based planning approach that recognizes the South-West as an interconnected physical and economic region.
Institutional frameworks shall be strengthened to coordinate physical planning, urban development, and sustainable land governance across states, supported by a unified regional development framework that preserves state authority while promoting policy harmonization.
A comprehensive Western Region Master Plan shall be developed and implemented, with all existing and proposed infrastructure including road, rail, and key economic corridors aligned within a defined regional framework
A coordinated regional mechanism shall be established or strengthened, including consideration of a Southwest Regional Planning and Development Coordination Authority, to harmonize policies, projects, and implementation across the region
Infrastructure planning shall be fully integrated with physical development with priority on strategic transport corridors, coastal road, and inter-state connectivity as drivers of regional integration and economic growth, amongst others.
