By Kolade Ismail
A few days ago, my friend from Osogbo was lamenting the absence of a federal university in the state capital. He felt that the newly established University of Agriculture and Tropical Studies should have been given to Osogbo and not Iragbiji, being the state capital.
I assured him that the university would soon fall into Osun State Capital Territory if the growth trajectory of the towns and communities around Osogbo continues as it is today.
By my recent studies and observations, the following local government would conurbate to becoming Osun State Capital Territory:
1. Boripe – Iragbiji
2. Ede North – Oja Timi
3. Ede South – Ede
4. Egbedore – Awo
5. Ifelodun – Ikirun
6. Irepodun – Ilobu
7. Olorunda – Igbona
8. Orolu – Ifon-Osun
9.Osogbo – Osogbo
How do conurbations form? Conurbations form when two or more cities or towns grow so much that they merge and become one large city or town. Each city in the conurbation retains its identity, but they have grown so close that their built-up areas have merged.
Lagos is a very good example of a conurbation in Nigeria. Lagos is made up of Ikeja, Ojo, Epe, Ikorodu, Agege, and other suburban communities.
As a student of urbanization, I am quite intrigued by emerging pockets of merged communities that would eventually woven together to become Osun State Capital Territory.
Haven’t you noticed the cornubation of Ikirun, Iragbiji, Agba, Ororuwo, Ada and Ire. These five communities in two local government areas of Ifelodun and Boripe have fused into one. A visitor to this area would find it very difficult to identify the towns and communities.
What about the cornubation of Osogbo, Agunbelewo, Okinni, Ilobu and Ifón? The emerging high street development along the route is testament to the emergent of the Osun State Capital Territory. This corridor is arguably, the fastest growing high street in Osun State.
By 2035, I foresee the cornubation of Ede with Osogbo, the merging of Osogbo-Iragbiji-Ikirun axis and the emergence of the third largest urban center in the South West Nigeria. Only Lagos and Ibadan will be bigger than Osun Capital Territory.
And by 2040, I foresee the cornubation of Ilésà with the Osun State Capital Territory.
If the Osun State Government can build a six lane highway between Osogbo and Ilesha, the cornubation could be faster and organized as the largest estate corridor in the South West after Lagos Atlantic City.
Without the government’s deliberate planning, this cornubation would slowly and painfully emerge organically but we may have a huge urban slum on our hands.
As a believer in the deliberate urban planning, I think the Osun State Government is already a decade behind in the planning and deliberate execution of the birth of the emerging cornubation, the Osun State Capital Territory.
It is high time the Osun State Government developed a comprehensive plan to address the emerging capital territory, the conurbation of towns and communities.
The first thing we must do is to define the conurbation area: Identify the towns and surrounding areas that are merging to form the Osun State Capital Territory. A detailed situational analysis of the demographic, economic, social, and environmental characteristics of the conurbation area is very important as well.
And to address the fear of boundary encroachment, the state government must engage stakeholders – Traditional institutions, local government officials, residents associations, businesses, and community organizations must be involved in the planning process.
Very importantly, the government must repurpose the Osun State Capital Territory Authority as an effective conurbation planning concern. The Authority must comprise representatives from relevant state government agencies, local governments, and stakeholders.
A very intent and clear objective must be set. The government must define the vision, mission, and goals for the conurbation area, including economic growth, improved quality of life, and environmental sustainability.
The Authority must develop strategies to address infrastructure, transportation, housing, economic development, and social services.
At the top of the infrastructure development priority for the cornubation must be the transportation planning: The Authority has to develop a comprehensive transportation plan, including road networks, public transportation systems, and pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and all the local governments and state government must adhere to the plan.
The Authority must also ensure adequate provision of water, electricity, waste management, and telecommunications services. Provision of water in particular is very critical to modernize and transform living conditions in the semi urban areas. New dams must be built to supply water and water supply must be commercialized as veritable source of IGR for Osun State Government. With adequate water supply, a modern waste management system including a centralized sewage system could be placed on the agenda.
Provision and expansion of public facilities:,such as schools, industrial parks, healthcare centers,, and recreational spaces cannot be overemphasized.
This will require a lot of methodical planning and careful execution. The government must acquire lands across the communities and towns that fall into the capitol territory for these public infrastructure now before it is too late.
By following this comprehensive plan, the Osun State Government can effectively address the emerging conurbation of towns, and communities into Osun State Capital Territory while promoting sustainable development, economic growth, and improved quality of life for the residents.
Kolade Ismail, a politician, writes from Ode-Omu in Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun State
