Lagos PDP defends stoppage of Fashola’s housing project The Guardian LAGOS State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has insisted that the land at Ilubirin area of Lagos where Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration is constructing a housing estate belongs to the Federal Government. Reacting to alleged accusation by Fashola that the Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, used soldiers to stop construction of houses on the land he claims belongs to the state government, the spokesman of the PDP, Mr. Taofik Gani, in a statement Sunday, alleged that the governor’s takeover of the land is illegal. “The Ilubirin land area belongs to the Federal Government and not Lagos State. Fashola has, however, jumped on the land to continue his penchant and notoriety for usurping individual’s, organisation’s and government’s rights and privileges,” he said. The Lagos PDP spokesman particularly cited Fashola’s alleged unchecked takeover of the property and constitutional functions of councils in the state as the reason for now usurping Federal Government rights. According to the state PDP, the decision to stop the construction is appropriate in order to call Fashola to order. It noted that, “Ilubirin land is a waterway, and by the law of the country, it clearly belongs to the Federal Government. The mere fact that Fashola’s administration sand-filled it cannot, and does not automatically transfer ownership to the Lagos State government. “The necessary step for Fashola to follow is to seek permit and support from the Federal Government before encroaching on any Federal Government’s property. Unless the governor shows the world valid proof of ownership of the land by the state, he shall remain an illegal occupant.” Lagos PDP also faulted the position of the governor that the land is meant to build a housing estate for the masses, saying “this is only an attempt to whip up sentiment by such warped and belated argument. Indeed, the cost of completing a house on that land can’t be less than N75,000,000, which obviously makes it unaffordable for the masses.” “We boldly accuse Governor Fashola of developing the landed area for himself and his cronies. It cannot be true that a housing project for the masses is contemplated on such land. We have said it several times that dry land areas abound in Ikorodu, Epe, Badagry, Alimosho, Ojo and others for low cost housing development. The cost of building houses in such areas will be affordable to the low income earners and it would also decongest the Island.” The party wondered why Fashola remain bent on congesting the already congested Lagos Island.
Posted on: Mon, 07 Apr 2014 05:56:51 +0000
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