The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to developers engaging in irregular projects along the Lagos shoreline, urging them to regularise their activities within one month or face the revocation of permits and possible demolition of their structures.
The warning was announced on Thursday by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, during an inspection tour of the Lagos Lagoon Estates and other shoreline developments.
Accompanied by senior officials, including the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, Dangiwa expressed alarm over the rising number of unauthorised land reclamations and constructions along the lagoon.
“There is no room for haphazard developments on the Lagos shoreline,” Dangiwa declared.
“We are working closely with the Lagos State Government to address these anomalies and ensure that all developments comply with the law.”
The minister’s tour, which included a boat trip with officials from the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority revealed that some developers had illegally reclaimed parts of the shoreline by filling them with sand and commencing construction without proper documentation or Federal Government approval.
The Federal Government holds the authority to issue titles on shoreline properties under the Land (Title Vesting) Act of 1975, while NIWA oversees dredging permits.
However, physical development control in the area falls under the jurisdiction of the Lagos State Government.
Dangiwa emphasized the need for inter-agency collaboration to tackle the problem, noting that the Federal and Lagos State governments have agreed to work together to regulate development along the shoreline.
To address the irregularities, developers have been given until mid-January 2025 to obtain proper documentation for their projects.
Failure to comply will result in swift action, including the revocation of permits and demolition of illegal structures.
“The Federal Government is in the process of documenting its assets nationwide, and shoreline properties are a critical focus.
“Developers who fail to regularise their projects will face the full force of the law,” Dangiwa warned.
The minister also visited other Federal Government projects in Lagos, including the Ogbogbo Housing Project and the Ikorodu Low-Cost Housing sites, to assess their progress and ensure compliance with development regulations.
The visit will culminate in a stakeholder engagement session scheduled for December 13, 2024.
This meeting aims to bring together relevant parties to chart a sustainable path for managing Lagos shoreline developments.
