October 9, 2014 – Lagos State Government said on Wednesday that it is planning a metropolitan park for Aiyetutu in ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
Managing Director of Lagos State Parks and Gardens (LASPARK), Dr. Titi Anibaba who made the remarks in an interactive session put together by the Lagos State Governor’s Office Correspondent(LAGOCO) as part of activities to mark their press week, said the park will be built on four hectares of land.
She said the park will have a mini zoo, children play ground, swimming pool and other recreational facilities for families and children adding that when complete families can travel from wherever they are to Lekki for the purpose of enjoying the park.
Anibaba did not provide the cost of putting up the park but said the projects is part of a five year rolling plant adding that at the end of the five years, the park will be in place.
Regarding recreational parks, he said the rates are different adding that while families are admitted free to enjoy themselves those who request to use any of the parks for social functions will make some payment depending on the nature of activities.
She said LASPARK currently manages 297 parks, while 70 are managed by private organisations. According to her, the task of the agency is to return Lagos to the good days as part of effort to mitigate global warning.
She said with what Lagos State Government has done other states are already copying the state and even vowing to take the lead in the area of beautification, noting that the development means Lagos must not rest on its oars.
She said over 5 million trees have been planted in Lagos including exotic plants and that the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola recently brought in about 18 new species of plants from India which he said have been planted in specific areas.
She said the Lagos state government has been able to put food into the hands of 60,000 people by engaging them in the project of beautification and tree planting adding that the state has also succeeded in engaging hoodlums to take care of some of the parks.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Chairman, LAGOCO, Mr. Joshua Bassey said the press week is a yearly event, set aside to further add value to what the Lagos state government is doing. He noted that last year, the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority(LAMATA) was brought in.
He said that in sending out invitation, LAGOCO takes a look at agencies of government that are doing well and ask them to tell us their story and the challenges.
“We have looked that beautiful parks and we felt we should bring you tin o tell us how you are doing it”, he said.
