The Lagos State House of Assembly has adopted the recommendations of an 11-man Ad hoc Committee on the alleged conduct of Gateway Zone CDA, Magodo GRA Phase 1 executives in relation to the resolution passed by the House earlier.
It would be recalled that the House at its plenary session on Thursday, June 24, 2021 passed a resolution on the petition ‘Against Public Incitement, Unlawful Collusion with New Towns Development Authority Officials, Unlawful Obstruction, Injurious Falsehood, Public Disturbance and Conduct Likely To Cause Breach Of Peace’ allegedly perpetrated by Oyebode Ojomu purportedly acting for Gateway Zone Community Development Association CDA Magodo GRA, General Manager NTDA, Mr. Adenrele Oni and Others.
Presenting the report on the floor of the House, the Chairman of the ad hoc Committee, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, stated that the Committee embarked on an inspection tour of the area to investigate the powers and privileges of the Gateway Zone Estate executives to determine whether or not the resolution of the House had been implemented.
The Committee observed that a wet parcel of land situated in the Magodo Community of the State which fell under Government acquisition in 1969 was excised and that compensation was paid to families for lands not excised.
The report also said, the Office of Drainage Services had not given approval for drainage channelisation to include drainage alignment and setback for the land in question.
As a result, the Committee said there was no need to wait for the approval of lay out from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development for renewal.
Giving his submission, Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh said that the recommendations of the Committee will bring peace to the land owners noting that Magodo area had been in crisis leading to court judgments in recent times.
He also suggested that there should be punishment for officials that erred in carrying out their responsibilities. He added that NTDA officials be called to order in terms of delegation of duties.
The Committee, among others, recommended that “the Ojoko family being the rightful owner of the portion of land in dispute, having various acts of possession, including alienation to individuals without hindrance, should be allowed by Lands Bureau and other relevant agencies of government to take possession of the said portion of land measuring 325.48 acres and Lands Bureau should issue Certificate of Occupancy to the family for developmental purposes.
“Also, Office of Drainage Services and Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development should ensure strict compliance with regulations, standards and guidelines regarding development of the portion of land.”
The House adopted the recommendations of the ad hoc Committee as a resolution.
