New Lokoja:
No Respite for Illegal Developers
Like other state capitals in Nigeria, Lokoja, Kogi State seat of authority, would be adorned by aesthetic terraces, a beautification project the Commissioner for Land, Environment and Physical Planning, Arch. Muhammed Itopa Sule is committed to bring to fruition.
In a chat with our Reporter, Nathaniel Drisu, the Commissioner bared his mind on the new Lokoja master-plan, which he hoped would not subjugate the masses.
The Architect, who clarified that his mandate is to cleanse the environment rather that indulge in partisan politics, said he accepted the offer to serve the state in this capacity because of Governor Ibrahim Idris’ abhorrence for dictatorship.
Excerpts.
Any Master-Plan for Lokoja?
When His Excellency, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris came to power during his first tenure, he commissioned a firm of planners, architects and engineers to come up with a new master – plan for Lokoja which they are still working on.
So when I assumed duty, I felt after going through what they have been doing, that there has been unnecessary delay.
From the contract agreement, they have actually stayed beyond the period of completion. So I have given them an instruction that everything must be completed before the end of the year so that whatever we are going to do in the nearest future will be based on that master-plan.
Old and new master-plans: confliction and compensation
Definitely, if anybody’s structure has to give way for a new Lokoja, the owner of such property will be compensated. But at any rate, the attempt by the people in the Ministry of Land and Environment implementing what used to be a small master-plan, will be something tailored towards what the new Lokoja will be. I don’t think much of the structures will have to give way at the point of implementing the new one. We shall do our best to see that we don’t have to destroy some of the existing buildings, which will add cost to the implementation of the new master-plan. This is because we want to have a decent implementation.
Fate of Illegal Property Developers
Illegal developers? I don’t expect anybody to start development without legal papers and formal approval, at least a right to the site. But whoever takes government for a ride, such illegal structures will have to go so that we don’t have them abundantly in the city. There are some illegal structures on the streets that must give way for us to have a more beautiful and decent environment.
Lokoja as alternative to Abuja
My plan is to make Lokoja an alternative to the Federal Capital in terms of cleanliness and decency in the arrangement of structures and even landscaping. Fortunately, the governor has just given approval for the first phase of landscaping and beautification of the city so that at least people will derive joy from the place they are living in.
Need for Shopping Arcades
The make-shift arrangement made by some individuals to sell bread, at least they have to survive. We are working towards having specified areas for people to continue with their businesses. Like the timber sellers, the mechanics, and a host of others, we have started clearing a site and the Ministry shall move them there so that when one wants to buy something, there should be a bearing unlike what is existing now when one has to leave NATACO junction for Meme Bridge looking for one item or the other. I think, very soon people should be able to get to a spot and buy what they need.
Subsequently, the make-shift structures we have on the streets will have to give way for beautiful features, furniture, some flowers and walkways so that at least the young children who watch films and news see how decent and beautiful cities are all over the world should have a replica in Lokoja. That is what they know and they should be able to see such environments here so that they will be able to appreciate their surroundings and become better leaders.
Local Governments should emulate the Beautification Project
We start the beautification programme from the state capital that people come to enmass. After the state capital’s project, going to other cities will not be a problem because it is actually a difficult thing to ask somebody to move away from where they make a living in order to pave way for beautification. So by the time such people visit the state capital and appreciate our efforts, they will willingly invite us to repeat such feat in their localities.
What I am planning now is that the stakeholders will have workshops where local government chairmen, unions and other bodies will come in for a round-table discussion to see how they can equally prepare the minds of the people towards such beautification.
On their own, the chairmen have the responsibility to the electorate; they should be able to start such beautification because when you have a decent environment, you live longer.
You have heard of carbon in the air mixing with the oxygen you breathe. So the only way you can reduce it is to have much of green vegetation and that is what we should preach to them. We want to educate people to have plants around their buildings. If you can plant coffee and cocoa trees within your compound, go ahead and do so and add value and decadency to where you live. You can see that where you see that people live longer are areas that have less pollution. We have to find a way of cultivating that culture by encouraging people to start planting to give the houses beauty and avoid much of toxin which might cause cancer or other diseases.
Not here for politics
So, we are working towards having a decent environment. That is why His Excellency asked me to come and man this Ministry. He said it is not for me to come and play politics but to bring my professional competence to bear on modern Lokoja.
He said we should join hands and make the state capital decent. You know, he has travelled widely and he wants to transform the city based on what he had seen in other countries and major cities in Nigeria.
We know it is going to be a difficult task. As he provides us with resources, we shall ensure that we transform the state that you can be proud of.
Rating for Governor Idris
Governor Ibrahim Idris is a unique personality and a good listener whose exemplary quality, humane nature, high attitude of gratitude have immensely fostered peaceful co-existence in the state. What endears him to us is his nature and character. He has never raised his voice on anybody. This makes one work harder as he gives everybody a long rope to work with.
The governor is not dictatorial to his commissioners because he takes their views into consideration. We have had many governors in this state but his sterling qualities make him unique. He does not assume to have a supernatural existence. God has always paid him back well for his humility and strong faith.