The Lagos State Government has embarked on the removal of all illegal encroachment within the Idera Private Estate Developer’s Scheme in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of the State due to overriding public interest.
The Acting General Manager of New Towns Development Authority (NTDA), Tpl. Olakunle Aboyeji,said that the removal exercise followed the directive by the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to remove all illegal developments comprising of developed structures, buildings under construction, gated houses, metal containers, service facilities and storage facilities amongst others.
He recalled that the Lagos State Official Gazette No. 20, Vol. 26 stating the notice of revocation of Right of Occupancy was issued as far back as May 13, 1993, where it highlighted that all parcels of land stretching from Maroko eastward to the boundary of Lagos Lagoon, Lekki Lagoon and Omu Creek in the South by the Atlantic Ocean including Refuge Island, Erekusu and Ita Oko Island, excluding all established villages, towns and settlements in Eti-Osa and Ibeju Lekki LGS spanning an area of approximately 823.0km was acquired for overriding public interest since 1981 for the construction of Lower, Medium and Upper-income Housing Scheme as well as the construction of Schools, Hospitals and Private Estate Developers Scheme.
Aboyeji averred that the Idera Scheme was being repossessed for its proposed use, emphasising that all illegal occupants on the landmass had been served several notices as well as a seven-day ‘Removal Order’ while, upon expiration, the demolition exercise was carried out on Thursday, August 20 this year
He stressed that the purpose of the global acquisition for the Idera Scheme was conceived and designed in 2004 by the state government, through the New Towns Development Authority, as one of the Private Sector Developers Programmes (PSDP) covering an area of 1040.893 hectares of land.
According to the acting GM, the Scheme was designed for massive land allocation to facilitate large scale physical development within Lekki corridor for interested Private Estate Developers.
The Aboyeji observed with dismay that despite notices served for illegal development within the scheme by individuals, private estate developers and land speculators, construction activities still continued unabated without proof of land title or approved building plan.
While hinting that some site selections had already been carried out within Idera scheme, he declared that any illegal structure that can hinder the government’s proposed development plan will no longer be permitted or tolerated, maintaining that the era of all illegal acquisitions and development on government schemes has come to an end.
