Reacting to a reported protest by some of the residents alleging that the State Government unilaterally extended portions for removal from the agreed 32 metres from the existing electricity poles to 91.44metres, the Ministry in a release signed by the Head, Public Affairs, Shina Odunuga; noted the need to set the records straight on these unfounded allegations.
The Ministry therefore note as follows:
- That the State Government is only implementing existing provisions of Federal Highway Regulations as contained in the Public Land Acquisition Act and gazetted by the Federal Government for Lagos – Abeokuta Expressway Right of Way;
- The Ministry also wishes to emphasise that the said 91.44 metres as contained in the Removal Notice is from the Centre of the Existing Road (45.72 metres on the right side and 45.72 metres on the left side) and not 91.44metres from Existing Electricity Poles as contained in the report.
While urging the public to disregard the allegation, the Ministry states that the 1000 houses quoted in the report were only a figment of the reporters’ imaginations as most of the structures affected by the proposed removal are fences, building setbacks and illegal constructions and attachments to buildings. It is however regrettable that formal institutions involved, like banks, and eateries could engage in illegal development without valid C Of O or Planning Permits
The State Government wishes to reiterate that members of the general public whose property may be affected and having valid claim, to forward documents of such to the Ministry for record and other administrative purposes.
Finally, it must be stressed that the present administration is a listening, compassionate and people-oriented Government that doesn’t want suffering for residents and people of the State.
It would be recalled that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s deep concern for the residents of the state who normally waste hours in the traffic, made culminated in the promise to construct fly- over bridges in some strategic areas of the State.
It is however on record that House Owners, Occupiers, Commuters and Motorists plying the affected routes during a stakeholders meeting held at the instance of the Ministry, expressed gratitude to the State Governor for his visionary leadership for rising to the challenges of traffic gridlock in the concerned areas. They noted that hours spent on the roads by commuters could be converted to doing other profitable ventures that would be of great benefit to the State.
