Minister of Housing and Urban Development issues ultimatum to Lagos shoreline developers

By Angela Atabo

The Federal Minister of Housing and Urban Development has given a one-month ultimatum to developers along the Lagos shoreline to regularise their activities or face revocation and demolition.

This is contained in a statement by Mr Salisu Haiba, Director of Press and Public Relations, on Thursday in Abuja.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, issued the warning following an inspection visit to the Lagos Lagoon Estates and shoreline front.

According to the minister, developments along the Lagos shoreline must comply with existing laws and regulations to ensure orderliness.

He added that his meeting with the Lagos State Governor led to an agreement for both the Federal and State governments to collaborate on ensuring disciplined development in the area.

“The Federal Government is taking stock of its assets and landed properties to ensure proper documentation across the country,” Dangiwa stated.

Dangiwa also expressed concern over the state of the shoreline, describing it as “alarming” after touring the Lagos Lagoon area.

He noted that the shoreline was littered with irregular developments, where areas had been carved, sand-filled, and built upon without first obtaining the necessary Federal Government title and documentation.

“There is no room for haphazard developments on the Lagos shoreline,” he emphasised.

He further explained that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, holds the authority to issue and administer titles on shorelines, as stipulated in the Land (Title Vesting) Act of 1975 and the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

According to him, while the State Government controls physical development, NIWA grants permits for dredging along the shoreline.

The minister reiterated that the Federal Government would not tolerate irregular activities and haphazard developments, which led to the ultimatum.

Other Federal Government sites inspected by the minister in Lagos included the Ogbogbo Housing Project in Ikorodu and the Ikorodu Low-Cost Housing sites.

(NAN)