In view of the discussion that is ongoing on this our noble platform, as regards the above areas, what Akpo needs now is an aggressive infrastructural development of the areas. By infrastructural development, it means the provision of those things that will trigger development in those places. They include, among others, roads, electricity and drainage, etc. The moment these facilities are provided in these areas, the future, safety and value, etc, will be guaranteed. People will begin to see these places as livable areas, and areas that people can go for other businesses.
We should consider these areas as new grounds in the sense that they are still uninhabited. To make them habitable, our people need to do extra work to the areas to give them a better meaning for a better future.
Looking at the areas from the perspective of new grounds or uninhabited areas, we need to devise a recovery plan that is strategic to be able to have them under our control. We have to first of all recover them from natural and even artificial forces before we can think about their future development and the invitation of government agencies into these areas.
Now, how can we use infrastructural development to recover new grounds, i.e., turning bush/forest or unused land into active areas and estates?
1. Road network: Access adds value to any area. Nothing happens without a way in. We should create motorable roads; tarred and untarred are immaterial, but provided they are well-graded and motorable, we are good to go. Land values will increase. People will start to think of building. Aggressive farming will be started by people in these areas.
2. Power: The provision of electricity in these areas will make them livable. It can be solar energy or can be connected to the national grid (NEPA). With this, houses and businesses (small-scale) can follow.
3. Water: To also make them livable, there is a need for the provision of water. It can be in the form of community boreholes. With this, other things can follow.
4. Anchor project: An anchor facility is a project that can attract others, e.g., school, clinic, mini-market and agricultural processing plant, etc. If, for instance, a garri or oil mill processing plant is dropped in any of these areas, a difference will be made. Even a motorcycle park or motor park can bring about the influx of people there in the future.
5. Drainage: The drainage of stormwater is very important. In view of the topography of these places, there is a need for a good water drainage plan to control stormwater.
6. Bridges: Our people should be ready to build more bridges across our waterways, e.g., Ogbomiri needs another bridge across it at Ngele as we have already gotten one at Ivoro.
7. Layout plan: In everything we are doing, Akpo people should have an idea of what is best-selling suitable for each of these areas. They should start in time to know where certain common facilities like farm settlements, civic centre, roads, drainage and parks, etc, should be located so that people do not build against such provisions. For example, the traditional pedestrian tracks can be planned in such a way that they can be expanded to form motorways. The essence of a general survey/masterplan is to avoid chaotic planning. So, there is a need for a masterplan to give an idea of what these areas would be like in the future.
8. Soft infrastructure: By soft infrastructure, it means those things that will make the hard infrastructure like roads, electricity and water, etc, work. There is a need for the provision of a security post to monitor the compliance to rules and people developing such areas according to the community's guidelines. Such areas should be well-documented to avoid future conflicts. The families concerned should be well-documented. It is just a way of making the entire environment both legal and safe.
To achieve the above is not the responsibility of the Akpo leadership alone. Rather, it is the responsibility of every citizen of Akpo to make it work - families, kindreds, villages and the entire people. Efforts should be made to ensure that there are adequate consultations to avoid both internal and external conflicts - land disputes that can lead to legal actions. There should be mutual understanding between the leadership of our town and the owners of these areas. Everything should be done in an atmosphere of peace to achieve the desired result.
It is said that infrastructure does not just serve people, but it summons people.
Peace!
Jerry Amuzie Okpalanedu, Lagos.
