Lagos to resurrect abandoned land schemes

APPARENTLY to offer more opportunities to prospective homeowners, the Lagos authorities have announced plans to jump-started its abandoned mixed development schemes in the metropolis.

The schemes to be resuscitated are Kirikiri mixed development scheme, Apapa; Lagos North-west residential Scheme, Egan/Igando/Akesan; Akowonjo Mixed Development; Ketu-Alapere residential scheme and Ologe-Agbara industrial estate.

Others are Oto-Awori, Jobiti Government Residential scheme, Ijanikin; Oworonshoki residential scheme; Morogbo Government Mixed development scheme, Agbara, Town Villa Residential scheme, Isheri-osun; Ajah resettlement scheme and Teachers Village sheme, Oto Awori.

The Permanent Secretary, Land Bureau, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, who made this known at the Ministerial Press Briefing in Alausa, stated that these schemes were conceived in previous administration and carved from the Lagos State Global Acquisition, but have not been allocated or committed.

He said: “However, some of these lands have been heavily encroached by ‘‘Land Grabbers” (encroachers) thereby hindering the ease of accessibility for developmental purposes thus rendering the schemes ‘Moribund.’ This has greatly affected the purpose of creating a scheme to make land available to citizens. Due to the haphazard development, some of the building are not in conformity with planning regulations to maintain the Mega City Status”.

According to the Muri-Okunola, the resuscitation of these schemes will accrue the following benefits to the State and citizens: land will be available to meet the ever-increasing demand on land allocation in the state; it would ensure optimum utilization of land resources to achieve development in Lagos; it would create an enabling environment that will prevent squatters and land speculators from encroaching on land. Other benefits he listed include that the step would boost the revenue of government; easing housing provision; create job opportunities and provides security of land /state assets.

To ensure better-planned utilization of land across the state, he said that senior officials of the government have embarked on identifying various sites suitable for the creation of new schemes, public utilities infrastructure, schools, hospitals and cemetery. “A key function of the lands bureau is to provide land for corporate entities, state and individuals for projects that will impact on the state”, Muri-Okunola stated.

He listed sites have been identified and are currently undergoing detailed survey studies and layout to include: Palm Estate Junction Scheme, Offin Oreta; Mining Corporation (Tolaram) – along Offin Oreta; Maghoto residential extension, Badagry; Ibeju-Lekki mixed extension scheme, Ibeju-Lekki and Aiyetoro residential scheme in Epe.

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