Sanwo-Olu moves against illegal beach houses, delivers 30MVA electric transformer

On Tuesday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu unexpectedly conducted a five-hour working tour of significant towns in Lagos State’s coastal regions, evaluating the disorganized developments spreading through the riverine communities.

His visit came in response to the increasing physical construction along the coastal corridor, much of which infringed on approved setbacks and violated the State’s planning regulations.

Accompanied by Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and members of the State Executive Council, Sanwo-Olu inspected unauthorized buildings along Ibeshe, Kare, and Inagbe, which border Ilashe.

Additionally, the Governor took the chance to review important infrastructure in the coastal areas, such as the 30 megavolt-ampere power station constructed by the State Government to link these riverine communities to the national power grid.

Sanwo-Olu, visibly dissatisfied with the untidy physical developments dotting the coastline, sent a strong note of caution to violators encroaching into unauthorised areas to expand their businesses.

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The Governor said: “We are also bringing a lot of order, sanity and repossession to redefine livelihood in these communities. There are a lot of disjointed buildings going on along the corridor. There has been a lot of abuse of physical planning approvals and complete abuse of the approved setbacks and lines from the ocean banks. People have taken their development beyond these lines in flagrant violation of safety regulations and the physical planning approvals.

“These have been our observations and we will be coming back to this corridor for full enumeration of violations. Both the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, and Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) will come back to do full enumeration which will enable us to take the final decision on the development of the beach front.

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“Our final decision would be inclusive of how we will regularise, give title and ensure that the locals are not at disadvantage. We will ensure that life is returned to this neighbourhood to boost the tourism potential along this whole stretch. Government will be a strong enabler for these opportunities to happen.”

Sanwo-Olu traveled through the coastal communities to understand the issues residents are facing, revealing that the Government would explore methods to enhance security and increase access to healthcare services.

The Governor also transferred the electricity station located in Ilashe to EKO Disco, encouraging the power company to connect homes in the area to the power grid.

He stated that this infrastructure would enable locals to take advantage of the growing tourism sector in the coastal regions.

Sanwo-Olu said: “We’ve moved across communities both on the lagoon and ocean sides. This whole stretch is a future we need to preserve. On this tour, we’ve met with the traditional rulers of these coastal communities to intimate them of our plans.

“We have work to do in the environment and we are committed to do the work. This is our note of caution for a lot of people who have done many things wrongly in this corridor, that the Government will come and correct it. We will come up with a win-win solution.”