Okun Ajah Community Protests Against Deviation From Established Coastal Road Right Of Way 

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

Residents and property owners in Okun Ajah Community gathered in significant numbers at the Lagos State House of Assembly Complex to protest against the unauthorized encroachment on the established coastal road right-of-way by the Lagos State Physical and Urban Planning Agency.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the peaceful demonstrators highlighted that the Coastal Road project, initiated in 2006, had its right-of-way distinctly defined and gazetted. Consequently, the community had respected the coastal road alignment, ensuring no development encroached upon the coastal road boundary.

It was emphasized that those who flouted the right-of-way and built on it, creating obstructions, should face consequences to act as a deterrent.

Furthermore, the community had proactively secured a certificate of occupancy and a survey endorsed by the then Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Surveyor General of Lagos State. This survey delineates the sanctioned and gazetted coastal road alignment along the coastline.

In recent times, the community had sought confirmation from the Lagos State Physical and Urban Development Agency to ascertain whether their locality was affected by the Coastal Road Right of Way, receiving negative confirmation.

In fact, property owners in the area had been vigilant in avoiding the coastal road perimeter and had verified with the Lagos State Physical Planning and Urban Development Agency that their properties did not infringe upon the coastal road alignment. A majority have also obtained Certificates of Occupancy or Governor’s Consents to further safeguard their investments.

However, to their alarm, they discovered one day that officials from the Lagos State Physical Planning and Urban Development Agency were marking properties for demolition, even those outside the gazetted coastal road alignment. The markings followed the original alignment from Ahmadu Bello Way but began to deviate upon reaching the Okun-Ajah community.

The purpose of the protest was to bring to the government’s attention the unexpected and illegitimate deviation from the original gazetted right-of-way for the coastal road. The traditional landowners, residents, and property owners are calling for the preservation of the status quo, which will reinforce their trust and confidence in both the Federal and Lagos State governments.