The Lagos State House of Assembly has taken swift action to address concerns regarding land reclamation activities in Park-View Estate, Ikoyi. In response to the pressing issue, the House inaugurated a nine-man ad-hoc committee to investigate the matter and provide viable solutions.
During a plenary session held on Thursday, Mr Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa II) brought the matter to the attention of the House, raising it as a matter of urgent public importance. His heartfelt appeal prompted the Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, to establish the committee, with Yishawu himself appointed as the Chairman. The other distinguished members of the committee include Mr Kehinde Joseph, Mr Temitope Adewale, Mr Nureni Akinsanya, Mr Ladi Ajomale, Mr Sylvester Ogunkelu, Mr Sanni Okanlawan, Mr Jubril Abdulkareem, and Mr Olukayode Ogundipe.
Yishawu eloquently conveyed the concerns of Park View Estate residents, stating, “The complaint received is from residents on these roads in Park View Estate that massive land reclamation is ongoing at drainage outfalls of the estate into the Lagos Lagoon.” He highlighted the adverse consequences of the land reclamation activities, such as flooding and traffic congestion, plaguing the estate.
“The implication of this is that storm water flowing all the way from Gerrard Road, through the estate, and water from 85 per cent of the estate will be constricted on its way to the Lagos Lagoon,” Yishawu explained, emphasizing the potential for severe flooding during predicted rainfalls. He continued, “The land being reclaimed is also the buffer zone for storm water coming from the estate. Park View Estate has experienced devastating flooding in the past while some residents had to reconstruct their houses.”
Yishawu further raised concerns about the detrimental effects on traffic in and out of the estate, particularly on Gerrard Road, which currently serves as the only exit. He warned that the situation would worsen with the introduction of additional dwellings resulting from the ongoing land reclamation efforts.
Having visited the estate, Yishawu revealed that land reclamation activities had also taken place on the Banana Island Estate side of the Lagos Lagoon. This recent development has further diminished the storm water buffer zone and even resulted in the collapse of a building under construction a few months ago.
In a startling revelation, Yishawu mentioned that an online search uncovered that the ongoing land reclamation in Park View Estate had already been advertised for sale to the general public. This alarming discovery raised questions about the legality and potential environmental repercussions of such actions.
In response to Yishawu’s comprehensive presentation, other members of the House expressed their support for a thorough investigation into the matter. They collectively proposed the formation of a committee dedicated to delving deeper into the complaints raised by the residents.
With the inauguration of the ad-hoc committee, the Lagos State House of Assembly has demonstrated its commitment to addressing the concerns of Park View Estate residents and ensuring the sustainable development of the area. The committee’s findings and subsequent recommendations will be eagerly awaited, as they hold the potential to shape the future of the estate and safeguard it from further environmental and infrastructural challenges.
