The Lagos State Government has disclosed that the Ikeja Computer Village is a residential area, hence the reason behind the proposed relocation of the electronic gadgets market to Katangua in Abule-Egba area of the state.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, Dr Olajide Babatunde, made this known during a recent visit to the electronic gadgets’ centre in Ikeja.
The assessment was carried out by the Lagos State Building Control Agency, in partnership with law enforcement agencies and other important government bodies responsible for such affairs.
Babatunde said according to law, the Ikeja Computer Village is currently located in a residential area and added that the plan to relocate the centre to Abule Egba has been stalled due to certain reasons.
He said the issues were being addressed already and declared that occupants of the residential area within the computer village would soon be relocated and settled in Katangua, Abule Egba
He said: “Where the Computer Village is located is, was, and will continue by law to be a residential area, hence we must follow the law. Katangua is the area designated (for such activity) by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, particularly the Office of Physical Planning.
“We chose Katangua because of the good road network, we are certain that we are not going to be having traffic problems once Katangua is ready to receive the people from Computer Village. The expanse of land is such that when you drive in, the person would get lost because of how huge the place is, it is not something that was not well thought of, it is within the model city plan for the area.
“We are moving the village into a place where their business would thrive while maintaining the status quo, Ikeja Computer Village was a residential area before, it is presently, and I think it will continue to be a residential area., we must ensure that things are being done according to the law, since the law states that it is a residential area, it should remain as such.
“Katangua market will majorly accommodate the traders within the computer village, they would have market stores and outlets, and they would also have secured title to the stores allocated to them so that if they want to take loans from the properties they have within the market, they can use that with any bank. In addition, there would be banking facilities, clinics, schools, crèche, storage facilities, and some housing including hotels where those who come to the place outside of Lagos would be accommodated within the area.”
