The Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in charge of Zone 2, Johnson Kokumo, has intervened in the dispute between the Osborne Foreshore Residents Association (OSFRA) and Lekki Gardens Limited.
The residents are accusing the property firm of erecting high-rise structures that are outside what it got approval for, thereby overstretching and weakening the estate’s infrastructure, such as roads and drainage.
The residents said they cannot go out for days when it rains and are worried that should the developments continue, the estate risks turning to a slum.
The residents said the company has continued to build despite a court injunction.
But, Lekki Gardens said it obtained the necessary permits and also had an order that the status quo be maintained.
OSFRA Vice Chairman, Rasaq Adele-Adewole, who spoke on the sidelines of a protest by the association at the weekend against Lekki Gardens, said the AIG had called parties to a roundtable.
He said: “I think I should mention the support so far of the AIG. Up until now, we’ve not had a listening ear from the divisional police officer and the state headquarters.
“We’ve been called to a roundtable with Lekki Gardens management by the AIG.
“The recommendation is that whatever the court has pronounced, both sides should abide by it. And if there were obligations before the injunction, Lekki Gardens should continue to fulfil them. We’ll to see if that will be the case.”
The residents bore placards to draw attention to what they termed a violation of the estate’s plan.
Some of the inscriptions read: “House of Reps, save us”, “Commissioner for Physical Planning, act now,” “Help us sustain the environment,” “Our action governor, save our estate,” “OSFRA says no to overbuilding,” “Why is Lagos State silent?” “Our Senator and mother Remi Tinubu save us,” “Osborne Estate is a low-density estate,” amongst others.
Chanting “no to overbuilding,” they alleged that Lekki Gardens got approval for 28 buildings but was erecting 84.
OSFRA chairperson, Chinwe Ezenwa-Mbah, said Lekki Gardens should only build what it got approval for.
“We’re saying no to overbuilding. You cannot give somebody approval for 28 buildings and he’s building 84. We’re not against anybody building. There are so many contractors in this estate, but if they approved 28 units for you, build 28 units.
“Instead, they would get approval for five units and build 20; approval for 16 units and would build 48. We’re asking Lagos State to hear us. We’ve been crying to them.
“In a unit, you have 84 families. Multiply that by six. That is what they are building within 3000 square meters. Rats don’t even live that way. There is another 105 units coming up, with approval for 46 units.”
But, Lekki Gardens said it had “filed an application to vacate the order obtained by OSFRA,” adding that the Lagos High Court on July 1 granted an order for the status quo to be maintained.
In a statement by its media consultant, Bolaji Abimbola, the company reiterated that it had valid approval for projects.
“Lekki Gardens has not been going beyond its approval which is why the Lagos State Government and the ministry have allowed it to carry on with its projects after and despite several reviews based on the baseless petitions by OSFRA.
“The association does not have the legal authority to demand the submission and further review of approval given by the Lagos State Government.”
The firm accused OSFRA of “emotional blackmail,” urging the state not to take any action that will discourage investors.
