A few days ago, residents of the Badia East community, Ijora, woke up to find bulldozers demolishing their houses in order to conform with the masterplan for Lagos which does not make provisions for the community. There is also plenty indication that this would not be the last demolition in the city, as there is talk of demolishing Ladipo Market.
The administration of Babatunde Fashola has set for itself the ambition of turning the state into a megacity, which means restoring the masterplan, improving housing and transport networks. This is very important considering the fact that Lagos State is the economic nerve centre of Nigeria, with a GDP that exceeds that of the entire country of Kenya.
However, the state finds itself in a tight position, because of the amount of migration into the state. Its population is growing at a very fast rate, with the state adding at least 600, 000 people to its number of about 15million people every year. It is estimated that by 2025, the city would be the third most populous in the world after Tokyo and Mexico City.
Right now, the population growth of Lagos State shows no sign of abating as it is Nigeria’s land of opportunities; hence everyone worth his hustle goes there to try his luck. When this is added to an already distorted master plan, one gets a development which is more like a large slum than a city bidding to be world economic centre on the level of London, New York or even Johannesburg. Such development cannot happen with chaotic traffic and broken-down transport systems, high crime rates and a shortage of properly planned, affordable housing.
What is even worse is the fact that Lagos is the victim of the ineffectiveness and unwillingness of other states to attract business to their states and take advantage of their latent opportunities. It is the reason why able-bodied men and women flock to Lagos as their only hope of not just economic survival, but personal financial boom.
The smart thing for states neighbouring Lagos such as Ogun and Oyo States to do right now is to invest in infrastructure that will draw people to invest and do business in their states while yet taking advantage of their proximity to Lagos. Also, the concessionaires of the ports outside Lagos such as those at Calabar, Onne-Port Harcourt and Burutu should do well to expand their ports and make it more attractive for importers and exporters, thus decongesting the ports in Lagos and spreading development around the country.
The job of upgrading Lagos to a megacity does not depend on itself alone. All other government in the country have to make efforts to develop themselves too, so that Lagos does not end up getting back to square one no matter the brave efforts of their governments.