Lagos hitherto like every other
settlements exist as a small community, rural in character and characterized
with homogeneous population. The 1865 British Colonization of Lagos colony
brought a lot of attendance impact mostly change in demographic composition of
the colony, associated with civilization and population redistribution. The
period of colonial administration of Lagos brought about social, physical and
demography changes which propel the colony as a rallying point of economic and
social activities. This attracted populations of settlement far and near within
the region of the colony. Lagos with a slight population of over 3000 people in
1863 had her population increased to 1.4 Million. The current population of the
city stand at over 10, million and projected to reach 34, million by 2020
migration remains the major factor responsible for the growth as it is
estimated that over 600 people enters Lagos every minute. This demographic
change also brings about change in the social, economic and physical
composition of the metropolis. Economy of the
Metropolis continuously attracts several
investors. The influx of population propelled by this
Economic opportunities are an impetus for
social and infrastructural development this makes the metropolis to experience
metropolitan explosion and urbanization since 1951 to date. The grates
percentage of the population lives mostly in the urban centers of its
metropolis this phenomenon in other part of the world is generally desirable as
urbanization most especially when it is associated with industrialization and
development in contrast to this is the type witness in Lagos and other part of
the word. Urbanization in this part of the world is population induced as against
development induced urbanization in the developed part of the world is with a
population growth rate of 5.5% per annum were the metropolis is the most
urbanized in the country which presently has 50% of her population in the urban
center urbanization though reflect levels of development and civilization but
due to the state of the nation’s economic development and general urbanization.
Lagos Metropolis in particular, have a lot of
challenges this generally has its positive sides, but its negative side is more
pronounced. A graphical representation of Lagos reveals that from a population
of only 7,400 in 1911 and covering an area about 4 Square Kilometers increased
to 665,246 in 1963 and by 1978 it had increase in the area extent to 879 square
kilometers incorporating numerous outlaying fishing and farming in villages. As
a result of this coupled with a dearth that of professionals, the city growth
is largely uncontrolled with the consequent deteriorated and slum housing
condition. Traffic congestion unreliable service provision and development
chase’ rather than development control. This type of description is almost same
for other towns like Ibadan, Kano, and Ado Ekiti and this resultant failure is
what Wole Fagbohun categorized as unemployment, livability, manageability and
serviceability.
For
instance, iwaya situated in South Western Part of Lagos Mainland it is bordered
by the Lagos Lagoon on the South and the University of Lagos to the east. Ilaje
on the other hand is bounded by Lagos Lagoon in the north east and ifako
Gbagada by the south and the west by an artificial road. Physical observation
of the community reveal that prevalence of illegal structure which can be
directly limited to insecurity of tenure. Land use control was quite poor resulting
indiscriminate conversion of uses of building. About 35% of the inhabitants
have illegal ownership of their land prevalent of built drains emanating from
indiscriminate of refuge dumping or pollution from refuge dump and stagnant
lagoon waters over crowding and inadequate infrastructural provision exist as
commercial venture of a private field the person is a product of his
environment; the state of the two communities discussed cannot produce poverty
free individuals all the problems identified are limited with the trend of
urbanization as its affect the issue of sustainability of the environment which
hold the key to rescuing the perishing slum dwellers in the metropolitan Lagos.
Expectedly, all states are suppose to establish an urban renewal management
unit that will carry out inventory of the slum communities at best, were
communities will have a representatives in the board of such an organization.
These options meaningful effort remains a needed tonic in ameliorating the sets
challenges were mega city status can be attained in no
time.
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