EKO NEWS

Magodo Lowland: Lagos Govt To Create Independent Access After Residents’ Protest

Published

12 months ago

Nov 26, 2023.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the Lagos State Government has revealed plans to create independent access to the Magodo lowland.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, made the disclosure during the weekend.

The revelation came a day after residents of the Magodo GRA Phase II Estate in Lagos sent a “Save Our Souls and Properties” message to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

They alleged an invasion of the estate and the threat to their safety and security due to incessant forceful access by unauthorised persons to the wetlands around the estate.

The residents implored the Lagos State Government to desist from any plan to build link roads to the wetland through Magodo Phase II Estate but instead construct a road from the Otedola underpass which is currently free of development and unencumbered.

In response to the protest, the state government disclosed that it would build an independent link road.

The Lagos physical planning commissioner explained that the decision to facilitate access to the virgin land outside of Magodo GRA was in deference to concerns by the Magodo II Residents Association and “a demonstration of the listening ears of the Administration of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the State.”

“Considering the history and dynamics of the Magodo saga, the Lagos State Government will continue to strive to harmonise all valid interests and ensure that law and order are maintained at all times,” Olumide said.

He, therefore, enjoined all concerned to cooperate with the state government in finding a lasting solution to the matter.

From left: Mr. Steve Ayorinde; former Commissioner for Information & Strategy and Resident of Magodo, GRA, Mr. Joseph Olofinsola; Chairman, C.C.C, Engr. Sheriff Daramola; Chairman, Mangodo Residents Association and Prof. Kayode Denloye, Chairman, Magodo Board of Trustees, during the Press Conference to prevent Access to and from wetland from Magodo GRA Phase lI, TAG: Save Our Soul held in Magodo, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

Earlier, at a press conference, the residents alleged that land speculators and developers aided by top officials of Lagos State Physical Planning and Urban Development had decided on building the wetland and they are bent on making an incursion therein through Magodo Phase II, noting that the plan was a direct threat to the environment, safety and security of a community with over 16,000 residents, who had lived peacefully and secured in the estate for more than three decades.

They, therefore, called for Sanwo-Olu’s urgent intervention “to forestall the breakdown of law and order in the estate and the state, which some people aided by the Commissioner for Physical Planning, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide; and the Chairperson of Ikosi Isheri Local Government, Mrs Samiat Abolanle Bada; who are top Lagos State Government functionaries, appear set to ignite for reasons best known to them.”

Speaking during the press conference, former Lagos State Commissioner for TPL Francisco Abosede, who is a resident in the Magodo GRA Phase II Estate, said the wetland amongst other ecological benefits served as a natural storm collector and flood control container for all stormwater from Agidingbi, Ikeja, Ogba, Alausa, as it had also shielded Magodo from soil erosion, flooding and flood-related diseases and disasters over the decades.

He said forcing access to the wetland through Magodo Phase II in the proposed urban development scheme will have consequences for the existence of Magodo Phase II and its residents, adding that using Magodo GRA Phase II to access the wetland is to destroy the fragile infrastructure the residents have collectively managed and maintained and with support from the Lagos State Government.

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