The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to developers operating along the Lagos shoreline, urging them to regularise their projects within one month or risk revocation and demolition of unauthorized structures.
This warning was delivered on Thursday by Ahmed Dangiwa, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, following an inspection tour of the Lagos Lagoon Estates and other shoreline developments. The tour was conducted alongside the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, and senior ministry officials.
Unregulated Developments on Lagos Shoreline
During the inspection, the minister expressed alarm over the growing number of unapproved developments, including illegal land reclamation and construction, being undertaken without proper Federal Government authorization.
“There is no room for haphazard developments on the Lagos shoreline. We are working closely with the Lagos State Government to address these anomalies and ensure that all developments are in line with the law,” Dangiwa stated.
The inspection involved a boat tour with officials from the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), where instances of developers filling parts of the shoreline with sand and constructing buildings without securing titles or permits were observed.
Joint Efforts to Regulate Development
The Federal and Lagos State Governments are collaborating to establish stricter controls on shoreline development. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, empowered by the Land (Title Vesting) Act of 1975, oversees title issuance for shoreline properties, while NIWA regulates dredging activities. At the same time, Lagos State controls physical development in the area.
The minister emphasized that unauthorized projects are in direct violation of Federal Government regulations, adding:
“The Federal Government is documenting its assets nationwide, and we are particularly focused on ensuring that our shoreline properties are properly regulated.”
Consequences for Non-Compliance
Developers who fail to comply with the one-month ultimatum face strict consequences, including:
- Revocation of Titles: Any claims to the land or project will be nullified.
- Demolition of Structures: Illegal constructions will be dismantled.
Broader Federal Government Initiatives
In addition to addressing shoreline irregularities, the minister visited other Federal Government projects in Lagos, including:
- The Ogbogbo Housing Project in Ikorodu.
- The Ikorodu Low-Cost Housing Sites.
The visit will culminate in a stakeholder engagement on Friday, December 13, 2024, aimed at charting a sustainable path for shoreline development in Lagos.
This move underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to enforcing urban planning laws and protecting the environment while ensuring orderly development in collaboration with state authorities.