Lagos: 200 Waterfront Buildings' Owners Served Contravention Notices

Following encroachment on the Lagos State Government land, the government has issued contravention notices to more than 200 property owners and occupants at the Okun Ajah Waterfront scheme in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the state.

The government also issued a seven-day ultimatum to all the affected property owners and occupiers to present relevant documents and approvals supporting their occupation of the land.

At the inspection of the area over the weekend, the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Yacoob Alebiosu, said many properties in the area contravened the law, stressing that the owners illegally took possession of the land.

He mentioned that four contravention notices had already been served, and the government could not continue to watch the state’s commonwealth turn into private investments.

Alebiosu urged owners of such buildings to voluntarily remove the encroaching properties before the ultimatum expires.

According to Alebiosu,  “We have served over 200 houses today alone, based on several contraventions. We’ll be coming back with the Ministry of Physical Planning to take possession.”

Alebiosu while speaking to newsmen added, “We’re always guided by the law. We have issued notices, stop-work orders have also been served. Despite that, they kept at it, continued with their work, and we are left with no option but to take the action.

“We have been meticulous; we have followed through all the processes before we got to this stage. We are now at the final stage of enforcement. We have been here several times, and we even met resistance from some of them, but the law has to take its course.

“Again, I need to inform the public that a lot of people have been allotted these plots of land, and they are already waiting to take possession. However, some unknown people have gone ahead to sell the plots to others illegally, which is why they have not taken possession.

“There are people with proper government allocations, but they’re always threatened by these illegal operators when they come to take possession. There have been many cases, which is why we had to come here with our full enforcement team to ensure everything is in order. We have taken the final step required of us.”