The Government of the State of Osun and the United Nations-HABITAT Programme have unveiled their collaboration for the development of the state in the next 20 years.
The Marshall Plan contains the Structural Plan Reports for the upgrade of nine cities in the State of Osun into modern cities.
The Project is geared towards harnessing the potentials of the State’s urban population and build the capacity of cities in the state to support the development agenda and offer better living conditions to their residents. The cities are: Oshogbo, Ile-Ife, Ilesa, Iwo, Ede, Ejigbo, Ila-Orangun, Ikire and Ikirun.
Presenting the report in Osogbo, capital of the State of Osun, Mallam Kabir Yari, HABITAT Programme Manager in Nigeria, who unveiled the report in Osogbo, capital of the State of Osun, noted that the urban renewal Initiative in the state is the biggest UN-HABITAT would embark on in Nigeria.
Yari said that the Structural Plans, in addition to making significant contributions towards achieving the goals of the State of Osun Integral Action Plan, will also guide the physical development and management of these cities for the next 20 years.
The Plan would also facilitate effective service provision, minimise the incidence of slum formation, and ensure significant contribution of these cities to achieving the HABITAT Agenda and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
“Since the UN-Habitat began its collaboration with states in Nigeria, this initiative by the State Government of Osun has been the biggest such exercise, involving nine cities in a single project.
“The planning horizon for the Structure Plans project is a period of 20 years (2014 – 2033) and it is to be implemented progressively over the period.
“A five year periodic review of the Structure Plan and its implementation strategies is proposed for effective execution of the development projects. This is to be carried out by technocrats and stakeholders.
“For effective phasing of the plan in order of priority importance, consideration has been given for flexibility and practicable implementation of the proposal.
“The proposed phases of the Structure Plan have therefore been classified into short, medium and long term scenarios.
This is to assist government agencies in preparing their annual development plans,” he said Earlier in his remark, Governor Aregbesola, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, said Osun had physical planning problems because it is one of the most urbanized states in the country.
He noted that the Urban Renewal Programme is aimed at correcting the numerous physical planning problems in the state that include improper solid waste disposal, haphazard or unplanned development, urban sprawl, slums and inadequate infrastructural facilities.
“These identified problems make life uncomfortable for human health.
“The State Government of Osun collaborated with the UN-HABITAT to prepare these plans for the nine most populous cities in the state concurrently.
“This project is meant to indicate the direction of development for these cities over a plan period to achieve orderly growth and coordinated physical development.
“It is indeed our Marshal Plan for the development in the next 20 years,” Aregbesola said.
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