- Community Raises Alarm Over Risky Development in Magodo Estate
- The residents expressed serious concern about the risks posed by the construction
- The community also accused the developer of deploying armed security personnel
Residents of Magodo GRA Phase 2 in the Shangisha area of Lagos have called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently step in and stop ongoing construction on a landlocked gorge, which they claim was originally designated as a flood control area in the community’s master plan.
Speaking through the Magodo GRA Phase 2 Community Development Association, Eko Hot Blog reports that the residents expressed serious concern about the risks posed by the construction, warning that it could lead to severe environmental issues such as erosion, flooding, and possible structural damage to nearby homes.
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In a statement released on Monday and signed by the community chairman, Niyi Odusi, the residents stated that the approvals granted by the Lagos State Government for the project are putting lives and property in the estate at risk.
The statement read, “We have over the years and in the recent past made our objection known to many Lagos State Government functionaries and other stakeholders on this matter.
“We are now forced to bring this to the court of public opinion to forestall a breakdown of law and order in the estate.”
According to the community, the estate was planned as a low to medium density residential area, taking advantage of its closeness to a large wetland that naturally directs stormwater and helps prevent flooding in various parts of Lagos, including Ikeja, Ogba, and Alausa.
“This wetland, which stretches from under Otedola Bridge to Agiliti, Mile 12, and on to Ikorodu, has shielded Magodo from soil erosion, flooding, and related health disasters for decades,” the statement explained.
However, the residents claimed that over the past year, developers allegedly supported by senior officials from the Lagos State Physical Planning Ministry have resumed attempts to build on the gorge, despite earlier failed efforts and clear indications that the land is unsuitable for development.
The statement noted, “Our concern is that developers, aided by top officials of Lagos State Physical Planning, have decided to build in the gorge.
“They are bent on distorting the natural setting and peace of our environment at the expense of existing properties and ecological stability.”
The community also accused the developer of deploying armed security personnel to forcibly demolish an uncompleted structure in the area as a tactic to initiate new construction, thereby intimidating residents and ignoring the associated environmental risks.
“The demolition process has already constituted serious health hazards and caused damage to nearby properties,” the statement added.
The residents revealed that they had personally tarred the road leading to the site and planted vegetation to stabilise the cliff both of which are now under threat due to ongoing excavation.
“To worsen these concerns, the perpetrators have started excavating the cliff, thereby threatening the environment, especially now that the rains are here,” the group stated.
Underscoring the seriousness of the issue, the community stated that it had commissioned an Environmental Impact Assessment, which confirmed that the site is unsuitable for any type of construction.
The community added, “We have drone footage of the area before and after the recent activities to support our case.
“Similar activities by the same ministry in the past aimed to open up the wetland to land speculators.”
According to the residents, this development violates not only the estate’s master plan but also threatens to wipe out decades of careful environmental protection.
“While we understand that the government can amend original plans, this should not be done without relevant impact assessments and public consultation.
“What we have now is a self-centred decision made for the pecuniary gains of a few, at the detriment of the majority,” the statement concluded.
