Residents of Ebute-Metta (West), Lagos Mainland Local Government have petitioned the state government over alleged structural approval for commercial property located under the power lines.
The residents include Elders of Ijero/Apapa Road (Old Boys, therefore called for the demolition of the illegal building under construction and the prosecution of the perpetrators.
In a petition jointly signed by its Chairman, Oluseun Williams and its Secretary, Mr Segun Sanya, in Lagos on Saturday said the building possessed a serious threat to public safety.
The petition is addressed to the Office of the Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on E-GIS and Planning Matters and the Office of the Commissioner, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.
It reports that the petition is titled, “Urgent objection to illegal construction on Federal Government setback on Ondo Street, Ebute Meta, (West), Lagos Mainland” had allegedly accused officials of Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
Williams alleged that ministry officials granted approval to one land grabber to construct a one-storey building of 16 shops on the relaxation spot despite the Federal Government approval ceding the spot to the community.
He alleged that officials of the ministry granted approval to one land grabber to construct one-storey building of 16 shops on the relaxation spot despite the federal government approval ceding the spot to the community.
The chairman noted the actions of these land grabbers and the buyer with constructive notice constitute a gross trespass, an affront to environmental laws, safety laws and regulations and a violation of the Lagos State Land Grabbing Law.
Expressing the community concern, Williams claimed one Engineer Gbolahan Awonusi was delegated to the site for inspection where he declared that the building violated the state builState regulations and had no approval.
He added, “We are expressing our objection to the ongoing illegal construction on the triangular piece of land at Ondo Street, Ebute Meta, Lagos Mainland.
“This land is a federal government setback designated for community relaxation and recreation, and has been utilized for time immemorial.
“Despite clear instructions from the Executive Chairman to halt construction work, the perpetrators have refused to comply, demonstrating a blatant disregard for authority and the law.
“Despite clear instructions from the Executive Chairman to halt construction work, the perpetrators have refused to comply, demonstrating a blatant disregard for authority and the law.
“Furthermore, this construction poses a significant threat to public safety, being situated directly under high-tension wires and in close proximity to a transformer.”
Williams said they had obtained temporary approval from the federal government since 2010 to utilise this site as a garden and relaxation spot.
It reports that the Special Adviser to Sanwo-Olu on e-GIS and Urban Development, Dr Olajide Babatunde, had urged the public to report any building infractions to the Ministry for prompt action.
He said, “Government is for all of us. In a democracy, it is the government of the people and for the people. Its all inclusive and that is why you are to report any infraction. How many cases have you reported?
He said: “the government is for all of us. In a democracy, it is government of the people and for the people. Its all inclusive and that is why you are to report any infraction. How many cases have you reported?
“When you report, government knows what to do. This is why we say when you see something that is going wrong in your community.”
Babatunde urged the public to say something because it was only if these infractions were reported that the state government would be able to address it.