Disturbed by the Lagos State Government’s plan over the proposed review of Magodo GRA Phase 2, the residents are in a running battle with the government.
Magodo is an upscale residential development, created by the government in the 1980s. It comprises Phase 1 and 2.
The Magodo Residents Association (MRA), alleged that the government planned to convert the area to mixed use, to accommodate other forms of development other than residential.
MRA accused the government of reviewing the master plan of the area and presenting it for their approval without their input.
It said on March 22, it received a letter informing residents that officials of the New Town Development Authority (NTDA), Lagos, were ready to make a presentation of the final draft.
Addressing reporters at Magodo, Lagos, yesterday, MRA Chairman Jade Niboro accused NTDA General Manager Wasiu Akewusola of being behind the planned review of Magodo Scheme 2.
He said: “We want to respond to the statement of Mr. Akewusola in the newspaper (Not The Nation).
In the report, Akewusola alleged that the residents had turned the area to mixed use- illegal conversion of residential buildings to schools and offices, hence the move by the government to review the developmental plan. He said the review was just for law and order to legalise conversion of residential buildings to other uses.
But Niboro said: “We hereby state categorically that the statement is untrue, false and misleading. Magodo residents have always fought against further commercialisation of the estate. MRA came up with a commercial policy in 2013 aimed at stopping the conversion of residential properties to commercial use. We fought those who attempted to convert their properties to other uses and we have record to that effect.
“We went to court to stop a school from converting a residential plot to other uses. The matter was eventually settled out of court, with a resolution that the property reverts to its original use. Other businesses were either stopped or made to close down.”
Mr. Adebayo Osinubi MRA 1st vice chairman said early last month, the association wrote the government to know what was happening with the review, but got a response that there would be a stakeholders’ meeting on the final draft.
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“This means everything done has been put aside. So, the MRA refused by writing to the commissioner. He replied that the meeting was for approval and rubber stamping,” Osinubi added.
He said Magodo Phase 1 residents refused to attend the meeting, while those of Phase 2 attended, but rejected the draft.
The MRA 1st vice chairman alleged that by refusing to carry the residents along, the government planned to make a mess of the estate.
He said in the last five years, the government had tried to link the estate with virgin marshy land, which were supposed to have wetland, adding that the review might be a fast way to achieve that.
Second Vice Chairman Mrs. Kemi Omotoso said: “We have written letters to the government under ex-Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola and Governor Akinwumi Ambode. We have a petition signed by at least 2,000 residents stating their stand against commercialisation of the estate. This was forwarded to the government.
“It seems some interests are bent on distorting facts for their selfish and personal interest. We will not allow anybody or group of people, whether internally or under any guise, to destroy our estate.”
Mrs. Waleola Bello, the publicity/social secretary, said: “The wetland bounding the estate and Omole Phase 2 is about to be eroded and turned to residential plots. This area is for conservation and preservation of the eco-system and should be limited to passive recreation, flora and fauna water receptible against flooding and discharge of storm water from Agege-Ikeja, Ogba, Alausa CBD, Omole, Otedola to Lagos.”
She added that the immediate effect of the attempt to develop the wetland has led to massive encroachment by monkeys on the estate.
“The NTDA that is supposed to work in conjunction with the government to find a solution to the problem of Adeyiga vs Lagos State matter is now in conjunction with land speculators to bastardise the estate,” Bello said.
Rotimi Abdul, a town planner, analysed the difference between existing land use and the proposed land use plan, as well as the security threat it posed to the residents.
Akewusola said: “It’s a technical issue in the sense that when we are talking of review of master plan, even without having the input of the inhabitants and as a professional, there is supposed to be an orderly plan. So, when execution is being made, you will see challenges of your plan, after that you will review. This review of a thing is not a new thing in any of our scheme. You just heard of Lekki Phase, which we’ve just reviewed. For Magodo, we told them that we are going to do a review.”
He added: “Planning is dynamic and Magodo is over 30 years old. We planned it as a residential area, but even at that, there should be provision for other activities, not everywhere will be residential; there will be schools and others.
“The problem with Magodo is that we said you people have started turning this place to commercial and our problem is that we should sit and plan it together and physical planning will approve it.
“Look at Allen Avenue. It was residential that was planned for it, but now through the government, they turned it to commercial.
“You have started turning this thing to commercial, with places of workshop springing up here and there. Instead of turning it on your own, let us review this thing, where you want it to be commercial or place of worship, we will approve it. But the only thing is that what they are doing there now is illegal. If we review it and we agree that this place will be for commercial and this place will be strictly for a place of worship, then physical planning will approve it. Now we have never approved it. Magodo scheme is residential and you are turning it to commercial. You have never given us any review.”
The general manager said the review was just for law and order and to legalise conversion of residential buildings to other uses.
On a plan to link Agiliti, Mile 12 and other suburbs to the estate, he debunked the claim, saying: “I’m not in charge of it. I don’t have any capacity to link roads; it is not part of my jurisdiction.”
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