• Lagos Land Bureau claims project undergoing redesign, remodeling

A group of individual investors has petitioned Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu over the non-allocation of plots of land at the Oko-Orisan Waterfront Scheme in Lekki, 12 years after subscribing to the project.

They are demanding the governor’s intervention, and immediate physical allocation of plots to them, which will be consistent with their allocations at the time of purchase. The affected subscribers include Ladeji Olushola Mobolaji, Ibrahim Abdulhakeem, Sotonye Okujagu, Adeola Ogunleye, Oluwatoyin Temitope Moмон, Ladeji Oluremi Babatunde, and Kofoworola Fehintoluwa Olufunmilayo.

In a letter jointly signed by Ibrahim, Okujagu and Ogunleye, they said: “Despite our adherence to the terms and conditions set forth by the government, physical allocations have yet to be made to us. Currently, only seven of us have identified with this common issue and have united to formally bring our challenge to your attention, and kind intervention. However, it is believed that there are many more people affected by this development.

“The lack of physical allocation has not only caused us uncertainty and untold distress, it has also severely impacted our plans for home ownership in Lagos State. This has become frustrating. We all entered our respective contracts with the government between 2010 and 2012 and made full payments well over a decade ago. There is no gainsaying that the undue delay by the state government to hand over our properties has visited untold hardship on both us and our families.”

Currently, the subscribers are worried about what they term an imperfect land administration system in the state. They have become distraught from the frustration brought on them by the government, which they are supposed to run for succour.

Ibrahim explained: “In 2012, I purchased a piece of land in the Lagos State Government Oko-Orisan Waterfront Scheme. Some other subscribers also bought into the scheme in 2010. I paid N3.8 million for a plot of land, though I was receipted for only N3.3 million. We were all issued original copies of allocation letters and official receipts from the Lands Bureau. We have severally visited the appropriate offices in Alausa to inquire about progress, and the relevant officials have always confirmed and assured us that our documentation is genuine and valid.

“The challenge today is since our consummation of the contract with the state government, we are yet to be physically allotted our plots in the scheme. The official reason the government gave for this is that since around 2013, the scheme had been suspended to allow for redesigning. We have expressed our disaffection in writing to the Office of the Special Adviser on Housing and the Land’s Bureau.”

The group is sceptical about the scheme after receiving a letter from the Lands Bureau that the Orisan scheme was being redesigned and remodeled, and that they would be informed of the outcome when completed, without suggesting a timeline.

The letter signed by A. Odukogbe, for the Executive Secretary, Land Use and Allocation Committee, Lands Bureau, stated, “We acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated March 20, 2024, in respect of the above subject matter and inform you that the state government has embarked on redesigning and remodeling of Orisan Waterfront Scheme.

“In view of this, none of the allottees can take physical possession or process their respective Certificate of Occupancy until the conclusion of the exercise. Be assured that all allottees will be contacted as soon as the exercise is concluded.” In reaction, the group wrote to the government, a letter expressing regret over the lack of timelines, which they’re yet to receive any response.