Lagos State has reiterated that residents were well informed before it commenced removal of structures for the Right of Way on the on-going construction works for the Dual Carriage Flyover Bridge at Abule Egba junction.
According to the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Wasiu Anifowoshe, the State Government had earlier on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 held a consultative stakeholders forum with owners/occupiers of buildings on how to remove structures that may likely impede the Right of Way and construction works for the project.
He added that Statutory Notices were also served on the owners and occupiers, “while the Ministry allowed voluntary removal of property before the officials moved in so as to enable the owners conduct a controlled removal with minimum loss of valuables.”
Anifowoshe, explained that the Ministry is only implementing existing provisions of Federal Highway Regulations as contained in the Public Land Acquisition Act and gazetted by the Federal Government for Lagos – Abeokuta Expressway Right of Way.
While urging the public to disregard allegations of extending the portions earmarked for removal, the Commissioner said that most of the structures affected by the proposed removal are fences, building setbacks and illegal constructions and attachments to buildings.
Tpl. Anifowoshe however said that it is regrettable that the formal institutions affected, like banks and eateries could engage in illegal development without valid C of O or Planning Permits.
He reiterated that members of the general public whose property may be affected and have valid claims, should forward documents buttressing their claims to the Ministry for record and other administrative purposes.
“The present administration is a listening, compassionate and people-oriented government that does not and will not inflict suffering on residents and people of the State,’’ the Commissioner added.
It would be recalled that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s deep concern for the residents of the State who normally waste hours in traffic, culminated in the promise to construct fly- over bridges in some strategic areas of the State.
It is also on record that house owners, occupiers, commuters and motorists plying the affected routes had expressed gratitude to the Governor for rising to the challenges of traffic gridlock in the concerned areas.
