Lagos state government has disclosed that it has disbursed the sum of N8 billion as compensation to individuals and groups whose properties were affected by ongoing construction projects in the state in the last one year.
Special Adviser on Urban Development, Mrs. Yetunde Onabule, who made this known at the weekend, at a one-day seminar on ,” Urban Tinkers Campus-The City We Need”, stressed that the government does not indulge in forced eviction of people arbitrarily without taking into consideration the welfare of the evictees.
The Special Adviser noted that compensations are promptly paid to owners on any land acquired by the state government for public interest with the presentation of all necessary documents that might be required.
According to Onabule, the beneficiaries include those affected by the Abule-Egba link bridge, Oko- Baba Sawmill relocation, Isale Igangan regeneration project, Olorunsogo Market, Mosafejo community and the Epe Phase I road expansion, among others.
Onabule said that government would consistently advocate the titling of all lands in the state, while urging the people to obtain governor’s consent on subsequent transactions, regularise and register their titles
“You do not want to own dead capital. The uncertainty of ownership decreases the value of the asset and/or the ability to lend or borrow against it”, Onabule stated.
Also stressing the need to have liveable city, Ambode, through, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, said the state government was delighted to be chosen as one of the 74 Urban Thinkers Campuses worldwide.
He said the development confers on the state the privileged of being one of the global centres providing a platform for stakeholders in sustainable urbanization to exchange ideas , forge partnerships and develop solution to the challenges of urbanization in contemporary modern cities .
“As a mega and fast development city , Lagos State is strategically positioned to play a leading role in propelling development on the continent. Not only is Lagos the economic capital of Nigeria, it is the fifth largest economy and fastest growing city in Africa with population of over 22 million people”, Bello said.
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