From Femi Ogbonnikan
Public Forum
All over the country, Government Residential Areas (GRAs) are conscientiously planned and developed as residential areas equipped with amenities and grandeur absent in other self-developed locations. Thus, GRAs remain posh locations for top brass of government, the affluent and who-is-who in the society.
Ogun, as a state in Nigeria, boasts of GRAs, with that of Ibara in the heart of Abeokuta metropolis leading the pack. Others such as Igbeba in Ijebu Ode, Ilaro, Ota and Idi Aba have been designed and developed to have the signatures of GRAs such as good internal road, pipe-borne water, green areas, drainage and avenues.
While other GRAs in the mould of Ibara and the rest in the South-West have been reinvented and re-tuned to modern cities, those in Ogun have suffered neglect over the years by successive administrations.
With decades of neglect, these once-majestic neighbourhoods have crumbled, reflecting a broader trend where their esteemed names no longer align with the current state of infrastructure, highlighting the pressing need for comprehensive regeneration efforts.
Though the classical GRAs in Nigeria, once paragons of urban opulence, faced challenges akin to GRAs in Ogun, the neglect which seeped in, of course, eroded their pristine allure. Yet, examples abound of successful rejuvenation. Abuja’s Asokoro, Bodija in Ibadan, Ikeja in Lagos and Alagbaka in Akure and Lagos’ Victoria Island stand today as vibrant, sought-after areas, testament to the possibilities of transformation.
Amid the faded elegance of these GRAs, the Ogun State government has unveiled a prime transformative vision: the Ogun State GRA Regeneration Programme. This ambitious initiative seeks not only to revive the dilapidated civil servant houses but also to forge a modern, vibrant smart city spanning over 100 hectares. Valued at billions of naira, this programme aims to rewrite the narrative of neglect, ushering in an era of renewal and progress.
The programme is not merely about demolishing and reconstructing; it signifies a holistic transformation. It seeks to infuse the area with modern housing units that align with contemporary living standards. Beyond aesthetics, it promises economic rejuvenation by creating employment opportunities for thousands of artisans and developers. Additionally, this infusion is expected to attract investments, boosting the local economy and augmenting the state’s GDP.
Beyond the structural rejuvenation, the Ogun State GRA Regeneration Programme holds the key to preserving cultural heritage. These enclaves, once bustling with life and history, hold stories within their walls. The revitalization isn’t merely about erecting new structures but about honouring the legacy of the past. By imbuing modernity with the essence of history, the programme aims to create a harmonious blend that pays homage to the area’s cultural roots
Therefore, the incumbent administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun, has continued to raise public awareness on its projected plan to rebuild the GRAs, starting with Ibara, which were previously home to civil servants, to create a smart city. The campaign aligns with the global trend of including diverse stakeholders in decision-making as a successful technique for achieving sustainable urban renewal, since the government espouses collaborative governance.
By taking this action, the state government intends to gain the participation of the relevant career officers and develop a methodology that ensures social justice and fairness for all in the implementation of the revitalization project.
In the vanguard of this ambitious revitalization stands the Ogun State Ministry of Housing, headed by a housing expert and experienced developer, Jagunmolu Jamiu Akande Omoniyi. Their efficiency, dedication and track record of past accomplishments in the delivery of affordable housing reassure the public of their capability to navigate and execute this grand scheme. As the construction commences and the vision transforms into reality, it is evident that the ministry’s leadership and meticulous planning are the bedrock upon which the success of this regeneration initiative rests. The ministry’s role in shaping not just infrastructure but also fostering social integration and economic revitalization stands as a testament to its foresight and commitment to a brighter, more vibrant Ogun State.
Furthermore, in its resolve not to dispose of the residents of the GRAs whose structures are to give way for the development of the regeneration, the state government, in its magnanimity, has directed the Ministry of Housing to prioritize allocation to those affected who had subscribed to any of the ongoing affordable housing schemes of the state government. Meanwhile, the applications of other residents in the upcoming housing scheme will be given adequate consideration and special attention.
The exercise was not meant to put them in distress, having served them prior notice months ago. This empathetic approach minimizes disruption and mitigates the hardships often associated with such redevelopment projects. By emphasizing the importance of the affected individuals within the broader vision of the state’s development agenda, the government exhibits a rare blend of progressivism and consideration for its populace.
The acknowledgment of civil servants as pivotal contributors to the collective vision of “Building our Future Together” signifies an appreciation for their role in shaping the state’s trajectory. By ensuring their smooth transition and access to upcoming housing schemes, the government not only honours their service but also reinforces a sense of belonging and solidarity. This dedication to safeguarding the interests and well-being of civil servants reflects a governance ethos centered on inclusivity and social equity, setting a precedent for responsible urban development nationwide.
And, as already explained by the Commissioner for Housing, Jagunmolu Akande Omoniyi, the main objective of the regeneration plan is to restructure the concerned areas to make them environment-friendly.
According to him, it is a conscious effort to alter the rapidly degenerating environment by a deliberate adjustment of the existing city area to meet current and future needs of urban life. It is also intended to replace the obsolescent and dilapidated buildings, which share the characteristics of slum areas, with the general framework of an overall plan for modern city development.
All this is to provide the necessary social facilities and physical structures that will make life more conducive for the residents. One of the issues that often account for people’s resistance against urban renewal is the fear of displacement of vulnerable residents. But, under the proposed plan, Governor Abiodun has given civil servants who are residents in the GRAs the opportunity to key into the modern housing cities scheme.
By assuming responsibility for the reconstruction, the state government intends to make the area safer and more desirable for decent living.
The new GRA urban regeneration scheme is expected to have between four and five bedrooms of different sizes, which are to be complemented with world-class facilities. For the first cluster of the scheme, civil servants have already vacated their respective accommodations, having been given six months’ notice and the old structures have been pulled down and ready for redevelopment through the public-private partnership (PPP) scheme.
In this regard, the first cluster focusing on Ibara, Abeokuta, GRA Housing, is to be redeveloped into 500 housing units, while Idi-Aba, also in Abeokuta, is to have 100 units. In the same vein, the Idi-Aba scheme, which is on about seven hectares of land, has been demolished, ready for development under the PPP model.
During one of his on-site inspections, the Commissioner for Housing, speaking with newsmen, said the demolition signals the commencement of the GRA Regeneration Programme initiated by the Governor Abiodun-led administration.
He disclosed that an inspection visit to the annex of the Government Technical College, Idi-Aba, where no more than 33 housing units sit on about seven hectares of land, has been pulled down as part of the regeneration programme.
He was accompanied on the visit by the Head of Service in the state, Mr. Peter Kolawole Fagbohun, and the general manager of the Ogun State Housing Corporation, Mr Wale Ojo.
Hon. Akande Omoniyi explained that the old structures sitting on 30 hectares of land located in a prime area such as GRA Ibara would be reconstructed to turn dilapidated government assets into a smart city within the belly of Abeokuta, the state capital.
He stated further that with the regeneration programme, a total ecosystem will be created to ensure everything needed by residents to make a decent living is provided inside the GRA.
The Housing Commissioner, however, reiterated that the governor had issued a directive that civil servants at different income levels should be considered in the new scheme, saying a wide range of opportunities such as rent-to-own, outright purchase, and mortgage, have been put in place to make public servants benefit from the new scheme.
While emphasizing that a total ecosystem will be created to ensure everything needed by residents to make decent living is provided inside the new premium housing project, he enthused that no fewer than 20,000 direct and indirect jobs will be created.
He noted that the programme would focus on local content by engaging artisans, suppliers and developers within the state, just as it did with Kobape Housing Scheme, Kemta Housing Scheme, Prince Court Estate and other similar housing projects across the state.
His words: “We are here on the directive of the governor to kick-start the regeneration programme of Ibara GRA and the government housing units at Idi Aba, Abeokuta. We have gone around and we saw that the occupants of these houses have heeded the vacation notice. Now, we are ready to commence the demolition of the old and dilapidated structures and begin planning to build smart cities within the Abeokuta metropolis. For clarification purposes, GRA Ibara does not belong to the civil and public servants in the state.
“At the inception of the creation of Ogun State in 1976, this location provided shelter for the civil servants of Ogun extraction who were coming back from the defunct Western Region. But, we realized that this prime location was being under utilized, that is why the incumbent administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun in the state summoned the political will to reinvent and redevelop this place to harness its potential for the benefit of the Ogun people, and to create values for the decaying assets of the state government.
“Numerically, the Idi Aba housing scheme is sitting on 7.5 hectares of land, while GRA Ibara is sitting on nothing less than 30 hectares of land. And we believe that as we move on with this project, we will discover some hidden or encroached portions of the land. Within Abeokuta alone, we are talking about 40 hectares of land to play with. There are similar schemes in Igbeba in Ijebu Ode, Ota, and Ilaro. For now, we are starting with Abeokuta, then, we will move to other locations where we have the state government’s assets being wasted away.
“Meanwhile, Mr. Governor, out of his magnanimity and empathy, has directed me to prioritize the requests of the civil servants in the allocation of houses in this regeneration programme. Don’t forget that some of them have benefitted from other housing schemes such as Kobape, Kemta, Ilaro, and so on, that this present government has done. For those who missed out on those ones, I have the directive of the governor to absorb them immediately in this new scheme. We have a wide range of opportunities such as rent-to-own; outright purchase and mortgage through Gateway Mortgage Bank.
“The practice before now was for civil servants to live here and get evacuated after retirement. But, this new scheme will allow for mortgages and the houses can be paid for while still in service. What we are going to do here, which is a common patrimony of the Ogun State people, will cut across all the cadres of income level.
“We will accommodate everyone – commercial, residential, and institutional. We are creating smart cities where people will live, work and play. We are creating a total ecosystem to ensure that everything you need to make a decent living is found inside of our GRA.”
On his part, during the inspection, the Ogun State Head of Service, Kolawole Fagbohun, appealed for the cooperation of all and sundry. “We are supporting the decision of the state government to turn waste into value. And this is why we have appealed to our members to cooperate with the government and make the project a reality,” he said.
• Ogbonnikan writes from Abeokuta, Ogun State capital