Lagos govt kicks against illegal excavation in Magodo, says buildings risk collapse

The Lagos state government has condemned the indiscriminate excavation of Magodo wetlands by the Onikosi family, saying it portends serious danger to lives and properties.

This was contained in a statement on Tuesday, June 21, by commissioner for physical planning and urban development, Dr. Idris Salako, after his visit to the area on Monday, People’s Gazette reports.

Salako said the action was “unwarranted, provocative and contrary to the civic gesture of the state government, which had displayed trust in the rule of law in the Magodo land saga.”

He stated that while the government was making efforts to resettle the Onikosi family in Magodo Scheme III, being created in between Scheme I and II and Omole estate, the excavation was damaging the environment.

“It is unimaginable that any family in Lagos state, noted for an unrivalled sense of accommodation and conviviality, will go to this length to inflict pain on others, despite reassurances by the government,” Salako said.

The commissioner urged the Onikosi family to desist from any illegal acts such as the current ill-advised excavation in the estate or face stiff sanctions from the Lagos state government.

Salako, who also visited Mr. Bolaji Omotoso, a resident of Magodo Scheme II, to see the extent of damage to his property, occasioned by the excavation, commiserated with the resident and advised him to evacuate the building while proper engineering tests would be carried out to ascertain the level of damage.

He noted that it was no longer safe to continue occupying the building as it could cave in with any significant rain.