The Lagos State Government has disclosed that the unabated corruption of the original plan for Magodo Residential Scheme II could be traced to the activities of residents of the scheme and not just outsiders.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, made this known during a courtesy visit to his office at the Secretariat, Alausa, by representatives of Magodo Residents Association.
He decried the motives of residents, who are fond of indiscriminately changing the approved uses of their property, as well as those engaged in other planning infractions such as unapproved changes of building dimensions and altering of specifications in approved planning permits for Government schemes.
The Commissioner urged members of the estate to rise in unison against perpetrators of such untoward acts, who sacrifice the common good of the area for their parochial pecuniary interests and carry on in a way that is inimical to the wellbeing of residents and sustainability of the scheme.
Outlining measures put in place by the Government to control development in the estate and other parts of the State, Salako said sanctions include the imposition of penal fees to discourage illegal and non-conforming developments, regular monitoring and enforcement as well as outright removal of the contravention where possible. He said: “To arrive at a solution to the problems confronting the estate, it is important that the Magodo Residents Association looks inwards by encouraging its members to resolve to abate the growth of commercial uses in the estate. The estate remains essentially residential despite recent reviews of the scheme”.
On the Onikosi land tussle, the Commissioner gave assurance that the committee set up to resolve the matter would come up with recommendations that are acceptable to parties involved in the dispute.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on E-GIS, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, implored the residents association to foster regular stakeholder engagements and come to terms with the myriad problems facing the scheme.
In the same vein, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Engr. Abiola Kosegbe, urged members of the estate to support the enforcement drive and other initiatives of the Ministry.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Magodo Residents Association, Mr. Bajo Osinubi, sought the assistance of the Ministry to restore the scheme to its original plan and also ensure an amicable solution to the ongoing land tussle in the area.
Other notable members of the Magodo Residents Association in attendance were the former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Francisco Abosede; BOT Chairman, Magodo Residents Association, Prof. Ayo Ogunye and former General Manager Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) Tpl. Toyin Abdul.