LASG PAYS N8 BILLION COMPENSATION TO LAND OWNERS

IKEJA, Nigeria – Lagos State Government on Thursday said it had, through its Lands Bureau, paid the sum of N8 billion as compensation to individuals and groups whose properties were affected by key projects in the State in the last one year

The Special Adviser to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Urban Development, Mrs. Yetunde Onabule, revealed this at a One-Day seminar on “Urban Thinkers Campus-The City We Need”. She pointed out that government does not indulge in forced eviction of people arbitrarily without taking into consideration the welfare of the evictees.

She added that compensation is paid promptly by the government on any land acquired by the State government for public interest with the presentation of all necessary documents that might be required.

According to her, the beneficiaries include those affected by the Abule-Egba link bridge, Oko Baba Sawmill relocation, Isale Igangan regeneration project, Olorunsogo Market, Mosafejo community and the Epe Phase I road expansion, among others.

She said the government would consistently advocate the titling of all lands in the State, while urging the people to obtain governor’s consent on subsequent transactions, regularise and register their titles.

Onabule said, “You do not want to own dead capital. The uncertainty of ownership decreases the value of the asset and/or the ability to lend or borrow against it.”

Harping on the need to have a livable city, Lagos State Governor , Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, said the State government was delighted to be chosen as one of the 74 Urban Thinkers Campuses worldwide.

Ambode said the development confers on the State the privilege of being one of the global centres providing a platform for stakeholders in sustainable urbanization to exchange ideas, forge partnerships and develop solution to the challenges of urbanization in contemporary modern cities.

“As a mega and fast development city, Lagos State is strategically positioned to play a leading role in propelling development on the continent. Not only is Lagos the economic capital of Nigeria, it is the fifth largest economy and fastest growing city in Africa with population of over 22 million people. The huge economic opportunity available in Lagos State makes it a major destination for prosperity seekers which translates into thousands of people migrating into the State on daily basis.”

The State’s Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Town Planner Anifowoshe Abiola, lamented that the major challenge facing Lagos presently is the influx of people into the State.

Anifowoshe said, “This trend combined with the fact that one –third of the world’s population reside in slums, emphasizes the urgent need for high quality urban design and planning with effective implementation.”