Lagos govt faults residents over structural alterations in state-owned estates

By Adeola Ogunrinde

The Lagos State Ministry of Housing has warned residents of government-owned housing estates against constructing illegal structures or violating estate regulations as it negates order, safety and the original design of state housing estates.

Abdulhafis Toriola, the permanent secretary of the ministry issued this warning during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Ikeja, involving key officials of the ministry and executives of the Ojokoro Estate Residents Association, Meiran.

Speaking at the meeting, Toriola expressed concern over the condition of Ojokoro Estate, describing the level of building violations and unauthorised extensions within the estate as ’alarming’.

According to him, the scale of illegal developments became clearer during his recent inspection visit to the estate, a situation the government would not condone.

The permanent secretary said all residents were informed of the rules guiding their properties before allocation while adding that the regulations were clearly stated in the Allottee’s Guide and warned that any violation would attract appropriate sanctions.

He also addressed claims by some residents that approvals for certain illegal structures were granted by the Lagos Building Investment Company; claims he revealed were dismissed by the Assistant General Manager of the Company, Tosin Olugbile.

During the meeting, it was agreed that all identified illegal structures should be removed within four months for the estate to be restored to its original layout.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Ojokoro Estate Residents Association, Taiwo Akinde, noted that the concern about the spread of illegal structures in the estate is valid and pledged the association’s support for government’s efforts to restore order in the community.