The Lagos State Government has threatened to demolish 280 illegal structures to avert the creation of slums, distortion of the state masterplan and erosion of coastal areas.
The Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Ekundayo Alebiosu, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Alebiosu said notices have been issued to over 280 illegal property owners and occupiers in the Mayegun Waterfront Scheme, located in the Eti Osa Local Government area of the state.
According to him, the contravention notices required the occupants to provide relevant documentation and approvals that justify their occupation of the properties in question within seven days of the notice, failure of which a demolition notice will be served on them.
He added that the over 280 properties, which include completed, under-construction and undeveloped lands, were found to be without any government papers authorising their construction after a detailed technical assessment of the Mayegun Waterfront Scheme.
The assessment was conducted by the survey team of the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development charged with the responsibility of maintaining the Lagos State Waterfront Schemes.
Alebiosu advised the property owners to voluntarily remove their structures before the expiration of the contravention notices served on them, or come forward to regularise their documents if they have any to avoid penalties.
He warned that all the illegal activities along the waterfront schemes and corridor must come to an end immediately, as the state government will no longer condone or accept people encroaching on government properties, land and setbacks.
He further disclosed that the state government, through the Ministry, is currently sanitising the Okun Ajah Waterfront Scheme where similar encroachment is going on.