Magodo II residents: Land speculators conniving with developers to destroy estate

Residents of Magodo Phase II have raised the alarm over illegal invasion and destruction in the estate by “Omo Onile and its developers”.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Magodo Residents Association (MRA) accused Oluyinka Olumide, Lagos state commissioner for physical planning; and Samiat Abolanle Bada, the Ikosi Isheri LCDA chairman; of connivance to perpetuate illegal acts in the estate.

The statement was jointly signed by Sheriff Daramola, MRA chairman; Kayode Denloye, the BOT chairman; Joseph Olofinsola, the CCC chairman, and Kehinde Daodu, MRA secretary.

The association faulted the planned development of the floodplain/wetland behind the estate as part of the new Kosofe development master plan.

The wetland separates the estate from Isheri, Ketu, Ajiliti and Ikorodu and according to the development plan, a new road is being considered to run through the estate instead of through the wetland down to Otedola Bridge.

If that is allowed, the residents claim the impact would be “colossal”.

“What is the interest of Dr. Olumide Oluyinka, the Hon. commissioner for physical planning & urban development in calling for a meeting to destroy Magodo Phase II?” the statement reads.

“Magodo is under the instrumentality of an acquired area which has a defined boundary. It is a shame that the commissioner, developers, the LCDA chairperson and his cronies are encouraging the ‘Omo-onile’ to validate their actions and invade Magodo Phase II. 

“It is unimaginable that the Hon. commissioner is liaising with the private developers, Omo-onile and the LCDA to destroy a secure government estate like Magodo II even after other Lagos state officials such as the permanent secretary ministry of lands, have discouraged such access to the floodplain through Magodo.

“MRA hereby unequivocally maintains that the Lagos state government can create access roads, but not through Magodo. There is existing access through Otedola underpass and Agiliti to the Floodplain/Wetland. 

“Any access to the wetland through Magodo will affect its institutional character, values, and personalities. 

“Development in the floodplain creates an obstruction for water discharge and thereby creates a major problem for the estate. 

The association urged the state governor to “step into the matter and call the commissioner for physical planning  and the Ikosi/Isheri LCDA chairman to order”.

“If the commissioner, the LCDA chairperson, Mrs Samiat Abolanle Bada, Omo-onile and their developers want to access the wetland, they should do it through alternative routes but not within Magodo Phase II,” the association said.