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By Chukwuma Umeorah
Residents of Magodo GRA Phase 2 have petitioned Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu over what they described as a coordinated attempt by a developer, allegedly aided by officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning, to erect buildings on a designated floodplain within the estate.
They warned that the ongoing development on the landlocked gorge originally marked as non-buildable in the estate’s masterplan posed a direct threat to lives, existing properties, and the ecological stability that has preserved the area from flooding for decades.
A statement yesterday by the Chairman of Magodo Residents Association (MRA), Niyi Odusi, described the situation as a “Save-our-Souls and Properties” appeal.
“It was with a sense of great trepidation and concern that the executives of the South East Zone of Magodo GRA Phase 2, are drawing the attention of well-meaning Lagosians, and in particular, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, to the threat being faced in the hands of a property developer, purportedly in cohort with the Ministry of Physical Planning of the state,” the statement read.
Odusi noted that the targeted location was a natural gorge and floodplain that served as a stormwater collection point for several parts of Lagos, including Agidingbi, Ikeja, Ogba and Alausa. “Bounding the Estate is a stretch of wetlands that runs from under the Otedola Bridge to Agiliti, Mile 12 and on to Ikorodu, the wetland, among other ecological benefits, serves as a natural storm collector and flood control container.”
He alleged that efforts to develop the same location over a decade ago failed due to its landlocked nature and unstable terrain. But in recent months, he said the developer had returned and commenced excavation work, reportedly under the guise of demolishing an illegal structure, an act carried out with armed security operatives to intimidate the community.
“In a bid to give a sham legitimacy to a supposed demolition of an illegal structure and commence fresh development in the same area, the developer approached agencies of Lagos State Government to carry out the demolition with armed security personnel. This, obviously, is to intimidate residents from asking legitimate questions regarding the dangerous activities,” Odusi said.
The demolition exercise, he added, had already resulted in health and safety hazards, with damages to surrounding infrastructure and increased environmental vulnerability. “The process of demolition has constituted a serious health hazard to the community and has resulted in intermittent disturbances and damages to the surrounding properties,” he said.
The MRA also revealed that both the road infrastructure and vegetation securing the cliff were community-funded. “The vegetation holding the cliff of the gorge was planted by the community and the road was tarred by the residents of South East Zone, Magodo GRA Phase 2, both of which are now in clear danger,” the statement added.
They also raised concern on excavation being carried out due to heightened risk of landslides and floods in the estate. They said the proposed development contradicts findings from a professional Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) they commissioned, which reaffirms the site’s unsuitability for construction.
“Our basis for objecting to the demolition and proposed development in the gorge are as follows: the location is landlocked and not accessible; the plan to access the location through another building is grossly inadequate and portends environmental, security and safety hazards to the entire area. “Environmental Impact Assessment does not support any such development in that location as it is prone to mudslide, flood and other environmental hazards. The crescent leading to the area is already saturated.”
The residents appealed to the Lagos State Government to immediately halt all ongoing activities at the site and direct relevant agencies to verify the original classification of the area. “The Lagos State Government should please issue an order to stop all activities in the gorge at the Green Valley Zone (Oko Filling) of the estate. Direct all relevant ministries and agencies to go back to the original plan for the location to confirm our position and order the developer to reinstate the natural setting of the location.”
Odusi also urged the government to provide necessary road and drainage infrastructure if it insisted on allowing any form of development at the site, and to indemnify residents against future risks.
While decrying the silence of responsible agencies, the residents commended the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Tokunbo Wahab, for his recent visit to the estate and for emphasising the importance of environmental protection. They also thanked Sanwo-Olu for his past efforts in safeguarding Magodo during prior land-related invasions.
“We thank Mr Governor for securing and protecting our properties during the invasions of our estate in the past.”
