Allege development of buildings in land-locked location

The Magodo Residents Association (MRA) has appealed to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and well-meaning citizens of the state, to save the estate from an impending infrastructural and environmental degradation by preventing the development of buildings in a land-locked location originally classified as a gorge in the master plan of Magodo GRA, Phase 2, Shangisha, Lagos State.

In a statement, yesterday, signed by Chairman of the association, Niyi Odusi, on behalf of the BoT, the CCC, the CMC and the entire residents of Magodo Phase 2, the residents said it was with a sense of great trepidation and concern that the executives of South East Zone of Magodo GRA Phase 2, are drawing the attention of well-meaning Lagos residents, and in particular, the state governor, to the threat being faced in the hands of a property developers, purportedly in cohort with the Ministry of Physical Planning of the state.

The statement read in part: “We have over the years and in the recent past made our objection known to many of the Lagos State Government functionaries and other stakeholders on this matter, to maintain the sanctity of our environment and safeguard the existing residential property, flora and fauna of our dwelling place, but we are forced to once again bring this to the public to forestall the breakdown of law and order in the estate.

“Magodo GRA Phase 2 is a low-medium density estate (by design), and has enjoyed stable environmental and infrastructural status, hence the peace and serenity enjoyed by all residents. This remains the attraction for most residents who have decided to live in the estate, either as first-generation owners or subsequent investors.”

The residents alleged that in the past 12 months, they had been bombarded with a request to develop a land-locked gorge that serves as a natural water collection point and is supported by vegetation and sand mass that holds the elevated part of the location, which prevents the structures on the low lands (previously called Oko filling) from being submerged by flow of rain water.

According to them, a previous attempt to develop part of the same location, some 10 years ago, failed because of the landlocked situation, affirming the gorge delineation of the location.

The residents of the estate said that distorting the gorge, which hitherto offered natural ecological balance, is not just advisable but constitutes an avoidable danger to the environment and to precious lives and property.

They, however, commended the governor for his unwavering support and commitment to maintaining the ecosystem, while lauding his efforts to uphold standards through his initiatives for a greater, better and safer Lagos.

The residents also lauded the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Tokunbo Wahab, for his visit to the estate, where he emphasised the significance of maintaining the natural environment for a positive impact on the safety of lives and property.