The Lagos State Government has said it is deploying drones to map out urban spaces and assess the level of encroachment across the state.

The General Manager, Lagos State Planning and Environmental Monitoring Agency, Daisi Oso, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

Oso was quoted to have said this while speaking on the activities of LASPEMA at a forum organised by the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, in Alausa, Ikeja.

He said, “A well-regulated urban space for the informal sector will ensure less chaos, enhance the aesthetics of the urban space and improve environmental sustainability. We are deploying drones for mapping and planning in order to evaluate the level of encroachment of urban space in the state. Areas like Abule-Egba by Jubilee Bridge, Ikotun roundabout, Isheri-Igando-Lagos State University-Iba and Berkeley have been captured. The agency intends to ensure that every part of the state is captured.”

Oso added that the agency would partner the private sector to digitise the informal business sector of the state.

“The urban space in Lagos can be likened to a beautiful lady without make-up. However, the informal business sector would be enclaved and colour-coded to enhance its aesthetics. The agency has made efforts to correct these setbacks and incidental urban spaces in the state and is also initiating a partnership with the private sector for the digitisation and integrated data management of the informal sector,” he said.