LASG to Enforce Original Masterplan of Ikoyi, Lekki, VI

• Gives 14-day ultimatum to owners of illegal structures, street hawkers

Gboyega Akinsanmi

The Lagos State Government on Sunday disclosed its plans to restore the original masterplan of Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria, noting that it would no longer tolerate the distortion of the plan.

The state government also asked all the owners of illegal structures, shanties, kiosks and trading points and food courts in Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island to vacate them within of 14 days.

The warning was conveyed in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello, noting that the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode “is determined to restore the original masterplan of Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki.

As contained in the statement, Bello said the state government would check the activities of roadside automobile repairers who had converted dual carriage lanes to single lanes with indiscriminate packing.

 He said those who converted walkways into trading points and food courts in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and the Lagoon Front of Lekki to remove such illegal structures on or before September 10.
He said the state government “will no longer tolerate unauthorised parking of vehicles, trucks and unsightly state of drainage infrastructure. Owners of such vehicles and properties with unkempt drainages will be prosecuted.”

 He explained that it was totally unacceptable for people “to stockpile and display wares such as bags of charcoal on major Roads like Ahmadu Bello Way and Federal Secretariat Road, Ikoyi. Henceforth, such goods will be confiscated and the owners prosecuted.

“We are using this medium to sensitize residents of the affected areas who are involved in these illegalities to immediately take right action and do the needful as the state government will take the necessary steps to enforce its environmental and sanitation laws forthwith.

“All those engaging in roadside display of wares, street trading and all illegal squatters on undeveloped land and all those who have converted road median to commercial uses in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki are being advised in their own interest to put a stop to the illegalities.”

 The state scribe warned that if such illegal structures “are not removed after the 14 days grace, the state Special Task Force on the Clean-up of the areas would move in to enforce the laws.
“The owners of all the illegal structures, shanties and abandoned buildings among others to comply or have the State Special Task Force on the Clean-up of the areas to contend with,” Bello said.

He added that abandoned buildings in different areas of Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island “are harbouring prostitutes, illegal miscreants and unwanted elements, which he said, necessitate the urgent need to remove all the structures of such undesirable elements immediately.

He warned owners of properties on the Lagoon fronts of Lekki Phase I who have littered the whole areas with compactors and several other deadweight equipments to remove them outrights.
According to him, the state government notes with concern the conversion of the frontages of properties and abandoned houses to kiosks and trading points by maids and guards as well as the unregulated activities of horticulturists who have turned setbacks to hide outs and selling points.