The Lagos State Government on Tuesday began moves to redevelop the Lagos Island with the taking over of the over 100-year-old Jankara Market in order to give it a facelift and total revitalization.
It was learnt that the move followed Sanwo-Olu’s surprise visit to the abandoned site which where the ancient market was located two weeks ago in preparation for the massive revertilisation of the Lagos Island.
However, speaking during a subsequent visit to inspect the old market, Commissioner for Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako, said that the move was to bring life to the Lagos Island environment through development of the market which site had been lying fallow for many years.
The commissioner, said that the revertilisation of the Lagos Island is expected to start from the redevelopment of the old market site to boost the economy of the state and those in the environment. He also said that the government will upgrade the structures around the area.
On whether the government was planning a new modern market on the market site, Salako said: “We are looking into the possibility of developing a mixed development use that will encompasses all various activities that will beneficial to not only the state but people who are within the environment. It is total redevelopment that will give room for a multi-purpose uses. When you are developing, you are not doing only thing. You are considering a plethora of uses that is not only good for the environment but also allowing for where people live and work in the community. We want to develop the whole of Lagos Island and this is a place to kick start the project.”
Salako, who noted that the Jankara Market was no longer functional for years, said that the market is just one of the places where the state government would commence the redevelopment plan, saying that the redevelopment would bring about enhancement of the living standard of the people in the area.
He assured that the state government is striving to make the state and the environment liveable for residents through provision of infrastructure that will improve the standard of living of the people.
