EFFORTS at uplifting the lives of the slum dwellers may have taken a leap, following the launch of various upgrading schemes in nine blighted communities in Lagos.The project comes as a World Bank assisted infrastructural development programme, undertaking by the Lagos Metropolitan Development and Governance Project (LMDGP). The project was set up to meets the needs of the slum area through the redevelopment projects such as provision of road network, markets, water supply, recreation facilities, construction and upgrading of schools, health centres and citizens mediation centres as the major infrastructure that can enhance the standard living of people domiciling in these slums areas.Currently, three major projects are to be pursued in these communities; namely, Ilaje, Iwaya, Bariga, Badia, Amukoko, Agege, Itire and Makoko, which constitute the identified major slum areas in the metropolis. The projects already commenced include the upgrading of some selected schools, road network constructions and upgrading and construction of new health centres.Only last week, stakeholders met in a forum to appraise the programme and prioritise school projects in Iwaya and Bariga communities. About seven blocks of classrooms were approved by the LMDGP, in agreement with the beneficiary community leaders.Those presented at the forum include the Eko Co-coordinator Project, a parastatal of the state government on developmental projects, Mrs. Ronke Azeez, head of teachers, principals, representatives of the Local Governments and State Universal Educational Board, (SUBEB) among others.The cost of each blocks varied, depending on the terrain where they are located. For instance, while those that would not require pilling would cost N250 million per block, those that are situated in a swampy terrain would gulp N500 million each.Similarly, the agency plans to provide a total of 44 kilometres road network in all the communities. The length of roads allocated to each of them would be determined by their strategic importance to the communities involved and also on the level of the state government presence in such areas, according a senior official of the agency.The rationale behind the differentiation is that some of these communities are lucky to have attracted development efforts by either the state or local governments, whereas, some are so unlucky. So, to bridge this gap, we need to focus on those areas that are more deprived in the construction of the road network, said an official who declined to be mentioned because he is not authorised to speak officially on the matter.The Project Director, LMDGP, Mr. Bayo Kelekun, stated that the school project required urgency in view of the strategic importance of educational sector in community development.Besides, he said that the school blocks when completed would make the neighbourhood more attractive and serve as a central gathering point for community events. It is therefore important that as a community focal point, the school should support networks and contacts for achieving change, community connectedness and enhancing a sense of safety and belongingness.The work duration for each of the projects is put at 15 months. The process starts with fencing and storm water prevention, clearing, rough grading, soil stabilisation, demolition of unused structure.On the health centre projects, Badia has been provided with a pilot project that has been adjudged to be functioning and effective. The agency will soon unfold its plans in the area of other projects designed to complete this year and the would-be beneficiaries.
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