LASG denies violation of planning laws in Osborne Foreshore/Magodo estate

By Dada Jackson

The Lagos State Government has denied a social media allegation that it is condoning the violation of physical planning laws by some developers in both the Osborne Foreshore Phase II and Peace Valley Estate, Magodo.

The Lagos State Government’s position is contained in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako, in Alausa.

One Mr Yacoob Abiodun, who claimed to be an urban planner/planning advocate, had taken to the social media alleging that residents of Osborne Foreshore Phase II and Peace Valley Zone, Magodo, were unhappy with the activities of some developers “whose developments on the two estates violate the extant Operative Development Plans and the Approval Order for the localities.”

While expressing his displeasure at the twist of facts by the writer, the Physical Planning Commissioner said that it was important to correct the misinformation to disabuse the minds of Lagosians.

Salako said contrary to the insinuations, the residents of Osborne Foreshore Phase II had  influenced the increase in height of the area from the original 4/5 to 10  floors, while Phase I still remained 4/5 floors.

He explained that the review of the Approval Order for Osborne Foreshore was precipitated by the continuous agitation of the residents as original allottees had brought about increase in the height and density of the estate.

He added that the government only came in to ensure a proper review for the benefit of all concerned.

Dismissing the allegation of noninvolvement of residents in the review, he stated that the ongoing review process was borne out of several consultations and engagements with the resident associations in line with the extant regulations guiding development planning in the state.

The commissioner added that the review could not have been more inclusive, having met with residents of the estate for more than 10 times, the outcome of which was the ministry’s encouragement of the residents association to engage a consultant, Messrs MOA Planners to prepare a revised plan along with the review sent by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

The revised plan would still be subjected to stakeholders’ engagement before final approval, he stated.

“It is therefore disheartening that despite repeated dialogue, the latest of which was held with the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, three weeks ago, the best that the Osborne-Foreshore Residents Association Phase II (OSFRA) could do was to resort to the social media to intimidate and embarrass the Lagos State Government,” Salako said.