ONYINYE'S MIRROR ON LIFE

Onyinye OyedeleWednesday, February 1, 2012



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REGENERATION

hen a place or thing that has been abandoned, neglected and overlooked gets attention and begins to develop ...it is undergoing a process of Regeneration. Something that was ugly and unpleasant suddenly becomes very attractive and its worth, potentials and opportunities become too enormous to ignore. Most Olympics venues around the world are often huge beneficiaries of Regeneration. They undergo drastic changes as a result of the planning, development and architectural renovations that are implemented in the area. Job creation and new innovative ideas as a result of new creative spaces undoubtedly lead to economic growth. �The New Lagos� which is Lekki, and the boisterous Mile 2.... are the focal points of Regeneration in Lagos. So, welcome to the Growing Regeneration Areas (GRA)! This trend of development and modernisation is one that should be replicated all over the nation. Revitalization of impoverished areas is important to add value to the lives of people. Modernisation is possible!


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Backtrack to the 90�s, Lekki was just mentioned and defined as that �Maroko.� Lekki was unused, derelict and abandoned. Maroko was seen as a contaminated, water logged, depressed and deprived part of Eko. But it is a different landscape today. Post modern architectural master pieces; Office and residential towers, duplexes, estates, mansions, mouth gaping Luxury Hotels, schools, service stations, trendy bus stops, ramps, road expansions, safer footbridges, sidewalks, traffic lights, leisure centers, shopping malls, banking halls, and mega supermarkets. It is a place of urban beauties with ultra modern amenities, community facilities and classy eateries. Infact, the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Epe, is a wonder to behold! These are some of the �sights and tastes� of the New Lagos. The children of today probably think, this is normal and probably exist all over Lagos! But the transformation is quite contagious...If the classic �Molue,� the �king� of the road could be dethroned by BRT and LAG buses, then drastic transformation is possible!


Goshen Beach Estate, Lekki. Lagos - Uploaded by olawunmi awosedo on panoramio.com

The Palms Shopping Mall, Lekki, Lagos

SPAR, the worlds largest supermarket chain now in Lagos; SPAR Supermarket in Lekki, Lagos.

Lekki Free Trade Zone architechtural model

Shoprite, Lekki, Lagos

Another abandoned area being Regenerated is Mile 2, along Badagry expressway. The roads linking into Festac town and Okota, Apple junction and the entire environ have changed for the better. Lands that were just bare and fallow now have residential and commercial buildings standing on them. Beyond the long stretch of traffic jams, the road expansion and transportation connectivity is a huge project which will change its image. Proper planning has led to the �uprooting� and �demolishing� of the illegal lodgers and sellers along the road and on the bridges. Houses and stores have also been destroyed to enable proper mapping of the roads. The length, breadth, width and depth of work going on along the Badagry expressway is a mega project that is worthy of recognition! Land is being reclaimed and acquired by the Government and the aim is to improve infrastructure and make life better for the masses. This Year, the delivery and completion of the first of the Lagos Light Rail Project (LLRP), the 27km �Blue� Line running from Mile 2 to Orile will be ready! Recently, the train line from Iddo to Ilorin was restored! So modernisation is coming ...one track at a time! There is a revitalization of public infrastructures and Lagos is stepping up as the pacesetter. Eko o ni baje...

As the economic hub of the nation, Lagos state must truly become a metropolis with ease, speed and comfort in transportation. Nigerians are valuable enough to enjoy world class train services provided in other mega cities around the world. Empower the people through modern transport connectivity! The movement of goods and services will surge and even people will have alternative choices and traffic jams and fuel price will no longer be forces that commuters combat with each day!

An infrastructural revolution is the heartbeat of our nation. The basic needs of the people should feel the impact of Regeneration. Public infrastructures that have been abandoned, neglected and are decaying should receive a new breathe of life because indeed these hold huge possibilities for the people and the nation. Imagine the ripple effect of the Regeneration of the Power Sector!

Finally, the change happening in Lagos is quite contagious and there is no doubt that other cities will catch the Regeneration Energy. It can no longer be indifference to the plight of the people. Regeneration is an effective and right way to awaken the potentials in the lives of our dear country men and women. We are blessed with a land that has been ignored, treated poorly and undermanaged for so long. But the surge of new life in strategic places in Lagos and the courage, focus and foresight to embark on Regeneration projects is truly innovative and should be applauded.

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