Residents of Magodo Phase II have petitioned Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, over illegal construction of buildings in a landlocked area originally classified as a gorge in the state’s master plan.
In a statement signed by Niyi Odusi, the chairman of Magodo
Residents Association (MRA), the residents said the construction of the
buildings in the location is a “threat to the safety of existing properties and
infrastructure”.
They said the landlocked gorge “serves as a natural water
collection point and is supported by vegetation and sand mass that holds the
elevated part of the location”.
The residents said the nature of the location does not
support the development of buildings, warning that the area is “prone to
mudslides, floods and other environmental hazards”.
The residents alleged that the developers of the “illegal”
buildings at the location connived with some officials of the Lagos state
ministry of physical planning.
According to the residents, previous attempts to build on
the landlocked location failed because of the gorge delineation of the area in
the masterplan of the estate.
“Our concern is that developers aided by top officials of
Lagos State Physical Planning have decided on building in the gorge and are
bent on distorting the natural setting and peace of our environment at the
expense of existing properly situated properties and infrastructural
conveniences and thereby cause ecological distortions in an otherwise natural
and stable space,” the statement reads.
“In our letter of 24th April 2025, we had intimated the
ministry of physical planning and other relevant departments and agencies of
Lagos state to this development.
“We expected that the relevant government agencies and
departments would rise to the occasion to prevent a looming environmental
disaster being perpetrated by this developer.
“Our suspicion is that there may be individuals within these
agencies that are in cahoots with this developer.
“In a bid to give a sham legitimacy to a supposed demolition
of an illegal structure and commence fresh development in the same area, the
developer approached agencies of Lagos state government to carry out the
demolition with armed security personnel.
“This obviously is to intimidate residents from asking
legitimate questions regarding the dangerous activities.
“All in the name of demolishing an uncompleted building
without regard to the impact on the existing structures and the fragile terrain
bordering the driveway to the community.
“The process of demolition has constituted a serious health
hazard to the community and has resulted in intermittent disturbances and
damages to the surrounding properties.
“In pleading with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the residents
listed their demands as follows: the Lagos State Government should please give
a stop order on the activities in the gorge at the Green Valley Zone (Oko
Filling) of the estate.
“Direct all relevant ministries and agencies to go back to
the original plan for the location to confirm our position and order the
developer to reinstate the natural setting of the location.
“If the Lagos State Government insists on allowing such
development to be made, the required drainage and road infrastructure to enable
safety of life and properties of the existing property owners and residents
should be provided.
“Indemnify the existing property owners and residents
against any detrimental actions that may affect the safety, security, and
quality of life of south-east Zone, Magodo Phase 2 residents.”
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