Landlords in Lekki Phase 1,Lagos, have urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to stop illegal street gates and compulsory use of access code introduced by the North-East Lekki Neighbourhood Association (NELNA).
The aggrieved property owners led by their spokesperson, one Prince Ayoola Ojeikere, protested the blockage of Admiralty Road and demand for access code to ply them by NELNA.
He described the road blockage through erection of street gates as infringement of residents rights to movement on public roads. Ojeikere, however, called on Sanwo-Olu to stop erection of gates on government roads and issuance of access codes which costs N300,000 to ply them.
He said the NELNA’s issuance of access code to road users had multiplied hardship and stress of both motoring residents and pedestrians, in accessing their homes and business outfits located within the said area.
Ojeikere noted that residents were subjected to harrowing experience of trekking a distance from the gate to their homes because commercial vehicles were barred from accessing the gates.
He said the development had not only driven prospective tenants and business owners away from the area, but also brought mental disturbance to visitors and friends of residents.
“A group of people in the community has decided to install a huge gate on Admiralty Road with barricade that can only be accessed with codes coming into Fatai, Idowu Arobieke Street, Lekki Phase I and other adjourning streets.
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“This codes has been used indiscriminately to victimise residents and stakeholders that refused to join in their unlawful act.
“We have approached some of the group members about this unlawful acts of restriction and blockage but to no avail. As we speak, nobody want to come for rent in the area because of this shenanigans,” he said.
Urging Sanwo-Olu to verify the claims, Ojeikere implored the governor to enforce the law and abolish the illegal act that had made businesses unattractive to people.
He said such urgent action would avert a possible confrontation with residents, which might result in the breach of public peace.
He said the aggrieved group sent a petition to the state Ministry of Transportation, Environment, the Lagos State Building Control, Eti-Osa Local Government and had held several meetings with relevant state agents especially at the Ministry of Transportation all to no avail.
“We have petitioned the Lagos State Government through the ministry of transportation, and the government is firm to say ‘it is wrong’.
“The ministry ordered the removal but NELNA has continued to ignore,” he added.
Ojeikere, who noted that he had been on Fatai Arobieke street since 1996, said compelling people to pay for access code to ply public road built with tax payers money is the height of illegality in the state and it must be stopped.