An intellectual debate on the need for administrators in Nigeria to be more detailed and intentional about 21st/22nd century urban planning and designs inspired a nostalgia. I remember the scenes of re-construction of bridges and water channels in some parts of Ibadan, especially in 2006/2007 during the administration of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja.
RCC engineering firm enlarged bridges and water channels to create channels for the dreaded Ogunpa River and other water sources. Water channels and bridges linking Ogunpa to areas like Gege Oloorun (smelly gege), Popo-yemoja, Foko, Ashaka, Aladorin, Bode, Oke-Ado and many parts of Ibadan South West were enlarged and well paved.
Unfortunately, many of those well paved water channels/bridges have become huge waste collection site and toilets which continue to prone the highly disadvantaged parts of Ibadan to more diseases, flood and dirt. I am always embarrassed whenever I visit those areas mentioned and remember how a newly well paved water channel has now become huge dumping sites for refuse.
Similar conditions are common to many parts of Lagos and currently ravaging Lekki peninsula axis which ought to be the most protected axis of Lagos State. Water channels in Lekki Phase 1 and Phase 2 becoming dirt logged just like old and filthy water channels in Oshodi. No urban design lessons learnt?
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I think the time is now for Nigerian engineering professionals, architects, public administrators, urban planners and policy makers to review several urban designs to aid environmental protection and serenity envisioning opportunities and challenges inherent in 21st and 22nd century.
Mujib Dada-Kadri, a lawyer and policy analyst, wrote from Abuja
