Magodo Residents Cry Foul Over Building Project in Gorge
Residents of Magodo Residents Association (MRA) have accused unidentified persons of manipulating state systems to gain access to a landlocked gorge that was not designated for development in Lagos State’s master plans.
Dotun Ifebogun, chairman of South East Zone, MRA, in a News Central interview on Friday, said the area had remained undeveloped and unallocated for more than 20 years, serving as a natural drainage route and excluded from both the old and new state master plans.
“Suddenly, someone has misled the state government into believing they could access this landlocked area. But this place is landlocked; it is surrounded by buildings that have stood for over two decades. Now, this same individual is claiming the right to access the gorge and has even demolished an existing structure under the pretext of redevelopment,” he said.
He added that the property is now under construction, questioning how the persons gained access and approvals for this land in the first place.
“What’s more troubling is that this person is attempting to erect new structures without presenting any approved plan or documentation. As concerned residents, we formally objected and reached out to the relevant government agencies as far back as April, asking for the project to be halted. But we were ignored,” Ifebogun said.
The association added that, in July, people arrived on-site accompanied by armed police and officials from the physical planning authority and began demolishing structures without prior engagement, creating chaos in the community.
Residents have since petitioned Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the state governor, stressing that previous attempts to build on the land had failed due to the area’s designation as a drainage corridor in the estate’s master plan.
“We fear there is more happening beneath the surface — this isn’t just a demolition. We are deeply concerned that the investments of residents who have developed this area with their resources, including the roads, will be jeopardised. It feels like we are being punished for developing our environment while the authorities enable questionable activity,” they said.
