Group Tasks LASG On Urban Slum Upgrading

Worried by some perceived shortcomings in the execution of the World Bank’s slum upgrading scheme in Lagos State, a civil society advocate group, the Nigerian Network of Non-Governmental Organisations (NNNGOs) has called on the Lagos government to change strategies being used in the implementation of the project.

The group also called for the improvement of infrastructure and related services in nine selected settlements across the state, which had earlier been classified as blighted areas which include: Ajegunle, Agege, Bariga, Badia, Makoko, Ilaje, Ijeshatedo, Iwaya and Amukoko.

Reacting on the matter while speaking to newsmen in Lagos, the patron of the group, Oluyemisi Ransome-Kuti expressed disappointment on the slow pace of work in the slums.

According to her, the collaboration expected among the various stakeholders that could ensure smooth and better performance has not been there for long.

She said “There were some laid down guidelines by the World Bank on how to go about the project execution, especially, as it involves Community Development Association (CDAs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the Coordinating body, but unfortunately these are not …”.

To her, such collaboration is to facilitate selection of an appropriate location for the projects such as school, health centre and other related projects that would require space, adding that CDA in every community in position to monitor any project embarked upon on behalf of the community.

On has part, the Secretary General of the group, Ayo Adebusoye lamented over what he described as “inconsistency in policy making and the executors of such policies.

The project is being bankrolled by the World Bank through a $200 million International Development Association (IDA) credit facility. It is being executed in three phases: Infrastructive provision, capacity building and urban policy coordination.