by Onozure Dania
The Indigenes and residents of Okun Ajah in the Eti Osa Local Government area of Lagos State have appealed to the Federal and Lagos State governments to probe an alleged sale of the coastal road alignment land to property owners.
They however refuted claims by the acting Baale of the town, Sikiru Olukosi, that 2000 houses were saved by the Federal Government’s rerouting of the road, insisting the actual number was far fewer.
PUNCH Metro gathered during a visit to the area on Wednesday that the residents blamed the ongoing issues surrounding the Lagos-Calabar Highway at the Okun Ajah corridor on unscrupulous land grabbers who claimed sold land on the coastal road to the public despite knowing it was meant for road construction.
This outcry was sparked by an alleged “Appreciation Letter” from the acting Baale of the town accused of colluding with some alleged lawbreakers to build on the coastal road alignment.
The Akogun of Okun Ajah, Saheed Olukosi, told our correspondent, “It is a grand conspiracy perpetrated by the Baale of Okun Ajah and the Secretary, Kamoru Ogidan with the Igbo landlords that they sold the coastal roads to.
“The number of residences affected by the coastal road alignment is less than 100, and numerous houses will be impacted by the rerouting of the road.”
He added, “Their actions are purely mischievous. They are violators of the law and are attempting to deceive the government. It is an undeniable truth that they constructed their houses on the coastal road alignment, fully aware of the implications.”
The youth leader of Okun Ajah, Noibi Otolowo, denied the claim that about 2,000 houses would be saved if the road was rerouted, describing it as a ploy by lawbreakers to evade punishment.
He called on President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to maintain the gazetted route.
He said, “All these problems are needless. Already, there has been an alignment since 2006, which many of us adhered to.
“Some people disregarded the law and now, they are trying to manipulate the law of the land. This must not be allowed in any way.”
Otolowo also denied the claim that the Marine Cable is on the coastal route. “The Marine Cable is at Mopo 2, which is far from the coastal route in Okun Ajah. The government should do the normal thing to discourage lawlessness,” he said.
The Lagos community remains divided over the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal road. Those who built on the coastal road alignment support the diversion, while hundreds who built outside of the road insist the law must prevail and they should not be sacrificed for lawbreakers.(punch)