LASURA PARTNERS NGO TO UPGRADE BLIGHTED AREAS

In accordance with the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s plan to reduce the number of blighted areas by 5% annually, the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA) has collaborated with Justice and Empowerment Initiative (JEI), a Non-Government Organization, to rid the State of difficulties facing slum dwellers.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting held in Ikeja on Wednesday, the General Manager of LASURA, Mr. Lateef Sholebo stated that the Agency’s planned annual reduction of blighted areas in Lagos is crucial to improving the living condition of the slum dwellers for a sustainable environment, adding that LASURA is determined to ensure the success of the plan.

He said Orisumbare, a slum community in Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area of the State, was one of the areas the Agency planned to intervene by facilitating the upgrade and empowerment of the communities through the provision of infrastructures such as roads, drainages, drinkable water and electricity among others.

He stated that LASURA and JEI officials have carried out necessary enumeration and profiling of the dwellers in order to determine the basic infrastructure needs of the community prior to the total redevelopment of the slum.

Sholebo encouraged representatives of the Orisumbare community at the meeting to participate in the process of achieving the goal of an upgrade and future redevelopment of the slum, stressing that the government intends to collaborate with private investors, NGOs and all others well-meaning stakeholders in achieving the desired objective.

Responding, the General Secretary of Orisumbare Community Association, Mr. Owolabi Mudashiru commended LASURA for showing concern to the community, stating that urgent intervention is needed in the provision of basic infrastructures like water, drainages, electricity and road in order to improve the living condition of the dwellers.

The co-founder of JEI, Mr. Andrew Mavin also thanked the State government, through LASURA, for giving his organization the opportunity to partner with the Agency on the laudable project.