Lagos Metropolitan Development and Governance Project has identified nine slum communities in the state to be upgraded under its World Bank-assisted programme.

LMDGP was established by the government in November 2007 to increase sustainable access to urban services through investment in infrastructure.

The selected communities, according to the Project Director, Mr. Kehinde Akinola, are Agege, Ajegunle, Amukoko, Badia, Iwaya, Makoko, Ilaje-Bariga, Ijeshatedo and Itire.

Akinola told the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday that investment on the communities would be carried out in phases.

He added that it would be funded from the $200m World Bank development take-off grant for the state.

The project director said that government took the initiative to make the communities attractive and habitable in line with its mega-city project.

Akinola lamented the deplorable state of the selected communities, adding that people should not continue to live in squalor.

He said that the high influx of people into the state had impacted on the few amenities in those areas.

“These slum communities are home to over 1.1 million people who lack access to roads, potable water supply, public sanitation facilities and health centres.

“In line with its mega-city project, the government cannot allow people to continue to live in squalor where they lack access to socio-economic empowerment,‘‘ he said.

Akinola said the LMDGP would be involved in the upgrading of the slums, with the provision of all the necessary facilities, including schools.

He urged residents of the affected areas to cooperate with the government in its ongoing development programmes across the state. (NAN)