FG Issues Ultimatum: Illegal structures on Lagos shoreline to be demolished

The Federal Government has issued a strong warning to developers operating along the Lagos shoreline, mandating them to regularise their projects within one month or risk revocation and possible demolition.

This was revealed in a statement on Thursday by Salisu Haiba, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

The ultimatum was delivered by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, during his inspection of the Lagos Lagoon Estates and other shoreline developments.

Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, and senior ministry officials, Dangiwa raised concerns about the increasing prevalence of irregular developments along the lagoon’s shoreline.

He noted that unauthorized land reclamation and construction activities were being carried out without proper documentation or approval from the Federal Government.

“There is no room for haphazard developments on the Lagos shoreline,” Dangiwa said. “We are collaborating with the Lagos State Government to address these irregularities and ensure all developments comply with the law.”

As part of his inspection, Dangiwa took a boat tour with officials from the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to assess the situation firsthand. They discovered instances where developers had reclaimed land and initiated construction without securing titles or permits, violating federal regulations.

In collaboration with the Lagos State Government, Dangiwa announced plans to enforce stricter oversight of shoreline projects. Developers have been given a one-month deadline to rectify their projects, after which illegal developments will face revocation and demolition.

“The Federal Government is currently documenting its assets nationwide, with a particular focus on regulating shoreline properties,” the Minister added.

Under the Land (Title Vesting) Act of 1975, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development holds the authority to issue titles for shoreline properties, while NIWA is responsible for granting dredging permits. Physical development control, however, falls under the jurisdiction of the Lagos State Government.

During his visit, Dangiwa also toured other Federal Government sites in Lagos, including the Ogbogbo Housing Project and the Ikorodu Low-Cost Housing sites. His visit will conclude with a Stakeholder Engagement meeting on Friday, December 13, 2024, where discussions on the future of Lagos shoreline developments are expected to continue.

The Federal Government’s decisive stance underscores its commitment to enforcing regulations and ensuring sustainable development along the Lagos shoreline. Developers are now under pressure to comply or face the consequences.