Residents protest proposed demolition of structures on coastal road

Residents of Okun-Ajah community in Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area (LCDA) have stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly to protest against the proposed demolition of their structures along the corridor of the proposed coastal road.

Spokesman of the protesters, Musiliu Ologunro, while addressing the lawmakers who received them on behalf of the Speaker, Dr. Mudashiru Obasa, said that there had been a blueprint for the coastal road over the years.

He noted that before structures were erected by the residents, the state’s Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, told them that the layout was not on coastal road.

According to a petition titled, “Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Lagos State Surveyor-General and Federal Ministry of Works Deviating From Gazetted Road Alignment” which was submitted to the Assembly, the protesters said that their houses had been marked as being obstructive to Right-of-Way (RoW).

The petition further stated: “We are aware of the Federal Government’s decision to construct a Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and a series of alignment verifications have commenced.”

“Okun Ajah community specifically has preserved the portion of alignment gazetted in the survey attached to the Certificate of Occupancy prepared and signed by the Lagos State Surveyor-General, while the alignment has been marked by Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development since 2006/2013, respectfully.

“However, the officials of the Lagos State Government stormed the community and started marking houses that were not on the alignment. In this regard, the original alignment is what has been maintained right from the starting point which is Ahmadu Bello Way to Coplage Estate, which is what is expected to be maintained all through the exercise.

“We hereby appeal to the Lagos State Government, the governor and the House of Assembly that those that deliberately built on the right of way cannot eat their cake and have it.”

Desmond Elliot, who received the protesters on behalf of the Speaker, assured the protesters that their petition would be communicated to the leadership of the House for further deliberations.

Another lawmaker, Rasheed Shabi, who also addressed the protesters, urged them to submit a clean copy of the petition, assuring them that the House would get back to them in due course.