The Lagos State government and the Agence Francaise De Development (AFD) have agreed to partner on the regeneration of blighted communities in the state.

Mukaila Sanusi, a spokesperson for the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, said the resolutions were reached at the Lagos State Secretariat in Alausa.

Idris Salako, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, during the meeting with the French Development Agency, said the state government was willing to explore opportunities for collaborative strategies.

Mr Salako explained that the collaboration was aimed at improving the condition of the blighted areas, improving well-being and enhancing socio-economic development.

He urged the foreign donor agency “to make recourse to the guidelines from the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA) and the Operative Development Plans of the State”.

Mr Salako said some of the guidelines were currently going through the statutory periodic reviews by the ministry while also acknowledging the support of AFD for the Lagos State intermodal transportation initiative.

He said the ministry and its agencies were involved in the selection of sites and other procedures relating to transportation facilities as indicated in the Strategic Lagos Transportation Master Plans.

Similarly, Olajide Babatunde, the Special Adviser to the Governor on E-GIS and Planning Matters, enjoined the AFD to explore other priority areas for collaboration.

He said that several opportunities abound in managing incidental open spaces, resulting from the delivery of infrastructure development projects.

Abiola Kosegbe, permanent secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, said the agency could key into ongoing projects. 

The AFD director, Xavipa Nurow, said the organisation was pleased to take further steps on its preliminary discussion with LASURA on site selection and priority areas for upgrading blighted areas.

(NAN)