Lagos State Govt Eases Computer Village Relocation with New, Flexible Payment Plan

The Lagos State Government, in a determined effort to finally move the sprawling Computer Village from Ikeja to a new, purpose-built site in Katangowa, Agbado-Oke-Odo, has unveiled a flexible payment plan for the market's traders.

This crucial development, announced at a recent stakeholders' meeting in Alausa, is designed to ensure a smooth and financially manageable transition for all business owners as they prepare for the long-awaited move. The government had previously issued an 18-month relocation notice to the traders in September.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Arc. Gbolahan Oki, stressed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's commitment to actualizing the project, which has faced multiple delays over the years. Oki explained that the current Ikeja location, originally a residential area, has suffered from severe congestion and infrastructural strain due to its unplanned conversion into Africa's largest Information and Communications Technology (ICT) market.

The new 15-hectare Katangowa complex is being developed to meet global standards, promising a highly organized and modern environment. It will feature essential support amenities, including:

1. Hotels and banks

2. Trailer parks

3. A police station and a fire station

4. Other community infrastructure

Project developers assured stakeholders that the flexible payment structure has been meticulously planned to make the move both affordable and convenient for the multitude of traders and business operators.

Reacting to the announcement, the Iya Oloja of Computer Village, Mrs. Abisola Azeez, expressed her satisfaction, stating that her earlier concerns had been resolved. She urged the developers to strictly adhere to the approved design and project timelines to ensure a successful outcome.

The relocation push comes on the heels of the Computer Village leadership's initiative earlier this year to launch a biometric registration and enumeration drive. This exercise is part of a broader rebranding strategy aimed at sanitizing the market, boosting security, and combating issues like phone theft, fraud, and the sale of counterfeit products, which have previously affected investor confidence.