Retired Naval officer kicks over illegal sale of green areas by Lagos officials
REAR Admiral Ibukunle Olaiya ( Retd) has protested the illegal sale of green areas near Block 113, Lekki Phase 1 by unscrupulous officials of the Lagos State Government against the original master plan that reserved the space for essential public infrastructure.
The retired officer in separate letters to Governor Babajide SanwoOlu and Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, for himself and on behalf of concerned Lagosians and residents in the Lekki axis, said it is a matter of grave concern that the green areas have been allocated to someone, who has begun construction.
Titled, “Urgent attention needed: illegal sales of Green Areas near Block 113, Lekki Phase 1” and dated April 26, 2024, Admiral Olaiya said those areas are being sold for personal gains.
His words: “Despite designated green spaces intended for essential infrastructural development, such as road and drainage expansions, and the construction of a light train to accommodate the growing population, these areas are being unlawfully sold for personal gain. “It is disheartening to witness such actions, particularly considering the significant investments and efforts made in the Lekki- Epe axis over the years.
“Your administration's commitment to infrastructure development, education, and the preservation of the state's original master plan has been commendable. “However, it is troubling to see certain individuals tarnish these efforts by engaging in illegal allocations, especially under your watch as a surveyor by profession.” Attaching the Survey Plan of Block 113 as evidence, the Petitioner implored the governor to address the issue with the seriousness it deserves.
The mantra "Eko oni baje”, he stated, resonates deeply and emphasises the need to uphold the integrity of the city.
He, therefore, urged him to intervene and halt these illegal activities. In the letter to the Commissioner , he warned that there could be grave consequences in future “if this illegality is allowed to thrive and the good actions of the Lagos State Government to demolish houses built on canals and setbacks would be difficult to justify.”
The Petitioner wondered why such should be occurring despite the existence of regulatory bodies like the Ministry of Physical Planning and the New T own Development Agency, tasked with overseeing development in the area.
“Permit me to thank y ou for your prompt response by sending y our enforcement task force to stop the illegal construction work and to commend you for the good works you've been doing in your Ministry. “It is therefore disheartening to note that some unscrupulous officials of the State want to t arnish all these works with the illegal allocation and constr uction on the green areas by prox y,” he stated, urging him to remain resolute in dealing with the issue.
Before the recent letters, he had through his la wyer, Abosede Akande of Law Corporate, petitioned the governor , Ministr y of Environment, Ministry of Physical Planning, Ministry of Lands as well as Police authorities, explaining that the green areas were designated for future road expansion and erosion management.
While the Commissioner for Environment ordered that construction should stop, the office of the governor minuted the complaint letter to the office of the Attorney General, who in a letter signed by a deputy director , Adekunle Laditan, dated January 25, requested for the survey plan of the area “for necessar y action on the petition accordingly.”
However, while waiting for the outcome of the AG’S intervention after supplying it with the survey plan, “unknown persons”, he said, attempted to begin construction in the designated area, prompting him to petition the Police to stop them. Reacting to this “interruption”, counsel to the developer, Gainsville Limited, Prof Dayo Amokaye ( SAN), in a pre- action letter explained that Gainsville is the beneficial owner of the property by a Statutory Right of Occupancy granted by the Executive Governor of Lagos State and evidenced by a Certificate of Occupancy and a subsequent Deed of Assignment.
He wrote: “Sometime on Friday , March 15, 2024, you deployed naval personnel illegally to intimidate, harass, and violently prevent its workers and agents from taking physical possession of their land and thereby frustrated them from undertaking their contractual obligation to development the land under the mistaken belief and assumption that the said land is a gr e en f ield appurtenant to y our land.