One of the major areas that pressing on the
issue of sustainable development on physical environment in Lagos metropolis
today is Okokomaiko settlement. The location of the ekistics is without maximum
practicable decree of convenient. it was observed that inadequate provision of
urban service, lack of infrastructure facilities and urban environmental
problem serve as a hindrance factors that is posing setback on the development
of the settlement, the general environmental conditions of the settlement is appalling
and is characterized by poor accessibility, lack of sufficient space for human
survival, poor drainage leading to waste water problems in fact, the area is
mostly water logged area. Stagnant water is one serious problem as its often
envelope the whole neighborhood and even the entire length of settlement,
putting motorist plying the area in confusion during rainy season and
subsequently during the mid-day and mid-night.
Worse still, is the housing
condition of the settlement where you find juxtaposition building and
unhygienic condition that even the poor looking and eating in a make shift
restaurant are done in the open and indoor unhygienic conditions. As it is
typical of such slim areas, Okokomaiko with its environmental problem now has
prostitution as a booming business at Alaba Rago Market adjacent of the
settlement with its magnetic effect on the community.
There is several pressure
on the existing infrastructure in the area, the effect on traffic and
transportation network in the neighborhood are where some buses, lorries
carrying luxuries from their origin to destination on neighborhood not only
cause a lot of traffic congestion in the area but also damage the surface of
the roads which were not designed for such heavy-way traffic of the existing
access roads that include Igbo-Elerin, tipper-garage road and PPL new layout
road.
Even some of the road network that lead to Okokomaiko, non is spared from
this damage causing various form of chaotic situation making the residence fall
victim of ill-planned road and drainage network, constituting a source of
nightmare to the residence. Significantly as a consequence of this scenario,
the drainage system in and around the areas is completely in a shambles. Some
of the drainage chambers of the surrounding have being covered due to illegal
erection of building in a plan which does not suite the purpose in which it was
meant for.
examples is the illegal construction of building on a open sewers
located within Alaba Rago road linking Ojo town, causing several
flooding held at the highest coming of rain the situation as investigated
revealed is of serious concern to the people. The much migration of people from
other settlement there is springing up serve development has overstretched the
existing infrastructures beyond it limits this pressure has always had its toll
on the access roads which as a result of such frequency, is scene to have
become a way of life. Surprisingly, the state water board has it regional
office not quite far from Okokomaiko; in fact some few kilometers from the
settlement but the ekistics can not boast of efficient water supply in its
domain.
From information gathered, it was discovered the networking of the pipe
was made to pass through this settlement but remain ineffective or not functioning.
Urban areas are engines of economic, scientific and cultural development and
often foster democratic movements. The urban economy is crucial for nation
economic development, indeed, two-thirds of the GDP of many countries is
already generated in major urban centers, and 80% of future anticipated
economic growth would take place in cities. The performance of urban areas will
be the most important factor for poverty prevention and alleviation, and will
determine the economic fate of nations and regions.
Expectedly, the need to act
desperately in challenging environmental issues on sustainable development has
constantly being street by many writers in particular, this need has always
being related to environment and resources management, before and after the
2000 Rio conference on sustainable development. Accordingly, the growth in
population around affect the people through its impact on economy, the
environment, safety, health and the inhabitant of the world.
Global report on
human settlement 2003 relating to emergence of slums was in the 1820s. it has
been used to refer to very poor housing and unsanitary living conditions that
stems from unplanned and uncontrolled growth and development. Report on
institutional problem in the management of Nigerian Urban Environment as
released by Nigerian Institute of Social Economic and Research recognizes the
prevalence of slums in Nigeria urban centers and associated this with the
generation of waste and deterioration of the environment that are attendant
effects of high concentration of people, uncontrolled growth and development,
poor planning and poor implementation of planning pollution. One major symptom
of slum emergence is urban decay, where people inhabits unhealthy environment,
and where there is lack of or no infrastructure.
The more reason why social
vices such as prostitution, armed robbery, drug peddling are often prevalent
within slums. The rate of urbanization in Nigeria has been very rapid in recent
years, and there is no hope that it will slow down in the foreseeable future.
According to federal office of statistics in his projection in 1952-1963 based
on 5% annual growth rate for urban areas, 2.5% for rural areas, and 10% for
state capitals. It shows that the rural urban ratio that was 10% in 1950 steadily
increased to over 30% in 1985 and has reached bout 45% in 2002.
It submitted
that if the trend should continue, it is assumed that in 125 years to come all
the settlements will be urban and we will be confronted with a monster with all
its attendant problems. Using Lagos as a graphic example, from a population of
only 7,400 in 19911 ands covering an area of about 4 sq kilometers increased to
665,246 in 1963 and by 1978 had increased in area extent to 879 sq kilometers
incorporating numerous outlying fishing and farming villages.
In another
related dimension, Lagos at the beginning of the 20th century,
report of common country assessment in UNDP 2005 has it that the European
business and political elite invest in urban infrastructure but, this was
concentrated in wealthy enclaves, as event would have it, this process of
urbanization has given a lot of problem in other part of the urban settlement
in Lagos metropolis were Okokomaiko is not an exception effort to extend the
infrastructure to other settlement were swiftly abandoned. In the face of rising cost, not being able to
bring up a germane policy arsenal, negotiating issues specific, not having a
viable development control mechanism and effective manpower development in the
local planning district in other to ensure pragmatic building plan that will
secure standard road network, access standard and site standard in the past
rather, the process has always being re-branding old bottle with new
wine. “in sorrowful condition calling for change, were the inhabitant are
gradually moving into slum at present, desperately in need to mitigate any unforeseen circumstances
that stand against its future.
The human environment is
an admixture of the rich and the poor expressed in a special contrast, that is
vary disturbing most especially in the developing countries, were the rich is
in affluence, the poor find themselves in squalled environment were you can
hardly find a comprehension housing policy that provide for the high income,
middle income and low income with adequate standard were physical
infrastructure will be functional at it best, coupled with social amenities.
the fallout of these is that the policy arsenal provided has not being
effective, this is not to say that the government has not being bringing up
policies to trickle down the situation in which Okokomaiko habitat found
themselves but, concerted effort is needed. The underlying factor has exposed
in incident of gradual growth of slum in Okokomaiko ekistics, made these
pullout a most to act desperately with speed to save the inhabitant from this
pressing situation, turning negative impact to advantage.
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