The Lagos State Government has sealed off two popular beachfront hangouts, Timeless Beach and Iceland Beach, alongside 180 other structures in the Okun-Ajah area of Eti-Osa, over alleged illegal occupation of state-owned land.
The operation, which was carried out in the early hours Wednesday, was led by the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Hon. Dayo Bush Alebiosu, who said the action was necessitated by continued disregard for multiple notices and summons served on the affected property owners.
According to Alebiosu, the government had exhausted all peaceful avenues of engagement, including issuing warnings and holding consultations with the occupants, but the defaulters refused to comply.
“This level of disregard for laid-down rules and property ownership cannot be tolerated. The state government has made efforts to engage the affected parties, but their refusal to comply has left us with no choice,” Alebiosu stated.
He expressed disappointment at what he described as a deliberate act of defiance, saying the encroachers chose to ignore the state’s numerous attempts at resolving the matter amicably.
Alebiosu noted that while some of those earlier found wanting had since regularised their status by obtaining E-Survey documents in line with legal requirements, others chose to proceed with illegal development on government land.
“More than 40 offenders who had earlier been served contravention notices for encroachment had been accommodated by the state government and issued their E-Survey documents after fulfilling all requirements stipulated by law, but some others have remained hell-bent on calling the bluff of the system while erecting their structures illegally,” he said.
The commissioner added that during the operation, over 20 individuals suspected to be among the defaulting parties were apprehended and are now facing legal action.
“Over 20 suspected defaulters were arrested in the course of the enforcement and they will be made to face the full wrath of the law,” he added.
Meanwhile the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public land and ensuring that development along Lagos’ waterfronts remains orderly and sustainable.
