My attention has been drawn to a viral video in which a person claims that residents’ properties were destroyed in Oreki community in the Ibeju-Lekki area of the state on the orders of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
As much as many don’t want to take issue with the proponents of these claims, I have a duty to put things in their proper context. My main purpose in doing this is to correct a false narrative that is meant to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.
First of all, it is important to emphasize that the portion of land in question is a government acquisition. In particular, the Idera Private Estate Development Scheme, Ibeju-Lekki, was established in 2004 and covers 1040,893 hectares of land. The package was designed as a lumpsum land allocation to facilitate large-scale development in the Lekki axis.
The site marked for the Scheme was covered by Lagos State Official Gazette No. 20 Vol. 26 regarding the Announcement of Revocation of Occupancy Rights issued on May 13, 1993 (section 1).
According to the Gazette, all the areas from Morocco east to the border of Lagos Lagoon, Lekki Lagoon and Omu Creek in the south by the Atlantic Ocean, including Refuge Island, Erekusu, Ita-Oko Island, but excluding established villages, towns and settlements in Eti-Osa and Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area in Lagos State of Nigeria and contains an area of about 823.0km2 was acquired for public interest since 1981.
This applies to the construction of low, medium and upper housing schemes; the construction of schools and hospitals and the plans of private estate developers.
To utilize the full potential of the scheme, the government, a few years after its conception, began to allocate it to interested private developers.
Consequently, the initial land allocation was made for Pan African University (100ha) in 2005 and Charis University (150ha) in 2007. When Pan African University took possession; the allocation of 150 hectares of land for Charis University was withdrawn due to non-payment of the allocation. Unfortunately, this site is heavily hacked, although there have been some reports of breaches.
Therefore, the government gives exemptions to various communities/villages in the areas related to the scheme. Some of the excisions include – Oreki Parcel A & B village (14.06ha & 6ha), Olorunishola village (15.05ha), Orile-Gbarada village (15.056ha), Odubella village (5ha) and Alugbere village (10ha), while Kaiyetoro village (12.57 ha) is also provided in the vicinity of the scheme.
One of the specially constructed areas/communities named Military Quarters, covering 50 hectares of land, was sold to individuals by the Baale of Kaiyetoro in the scheme considered for regularization. This is based on an appeal to the government, and the public is advised not to interfere with the plan.
As a result, there was an agreement between the Military Quarters and the government that further extension would be prevented.
The area called Oke-Egan is an extension of the Military Quarter because the area was sold to individuals by Baale Kaiyetoro, who also claimed to have sold land in the Military Quarter to individuals.
Even considering the villages cut off and the integration of built-up areas under the scheme, continued illegal activities by self-confessed landowners, including sand mining and the sale of illegal land for physical development are rampant.
It ignored warnings by the New Towns Development Authority (NTDA), and despite the allocation of land by the government to investors under the Private Sector Development Program (PSDP).
With illegal developments identified and flagged, since 2012, the spread of the scheme has continued unabated. The process of reclamation of the land is initiated by serving a violation notice to the individual/illegal developer.
However, no response has been received regarding the request for the submission of appropriate land title, building plan approval and other official documents granting ownership of the land, etc., apart from the word of mouth from Baale Kaiyetoro, who claims to have sold all the land because it belongs to him. to him without proof of ownership.
To be a deterrence for further encroachments, the government initiates appropriate measures to remove the illegal development effect so that the original Allottees take possession, especially as a result of the resistance or defiant posture of Omo-onile and miscreants occupying most of the unfinished buildings.
For a successful operation, the government has requested the involvement of relevant sister Agencies to eliminate illegal developments and eliminate hoodlums.
As a result, the first phase of the demolition exercise was carried out and completed in October 2020. During the exercise, the construction of fences and new buildings was observed in some areas, especially the area now called “Oke-Egan Community”. .
Contrary to the false claims in the video, the demolition exercise was suspended due to the EndSars protest to prevent further disruption of government activities and law-abiding citizens. However, in January 2021, NTDA began the conclusion of the demolition/removal exercise.
Prior to commencement, all previously flagged buildings were notified of violations to which there was no response from the owner. After the time specified in the contravention notice; Stakeholder consultation is held with affected individuals/illegal developers who are advised to remove illegal development. Finally, the final phase of illegal construction removal will begin on Monday, February 8, 2021.
After the completion of the exercise, the affected individuals/illegal developers became the “Oke-Egan Community” and objected to the demolition of buildings in part of the scheme area, claiming they were not informed, but this claim was not true.
By virtue of the sharp practices implemented by Omo Oniles and other unpatriotic people in Lekki and Ibeju areas, the government has always warned those interested in buying landed property in the axis to do due diligence; through the action of land information inquiry at the Land Registry before making a commitment.
Obviously, this is not done in this situation.
It is difficult because of the decision to remove the violated buildings, the government cannot allow those who own land illegally to hold it, while those who go through the normal route to get the same property will lose their investment and be left out in the cold. .
This would be tantamount to illegal promotion and encouraging harassment. If the tables are turned, those who are on the wrong side of the Law today and castigating the government for cheap political benefits will praise the Governor for defending their cause if they acquire land through the legal process.
Government action to secure the investment of genuine investors and the integrity of the real estate business in the State.
Investors in the real estate business are asked to always be cautious and ensure that they go through the right process before committing their hard-earned resources to any investment. They are advised not to become victims of those who engage in illegal land transactions.
For viral video promoters, it must be emphasized that communicating to a national or global audience through any medium is a sacred duty. People who do this action have the duty to be honest, polite and responsible.
There are always two sides to any issue, but the truth always remains.