Hard time awaits illegal dredgers, land grabbers in Lagos – Oba Akiolu

The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu 1, has deplored the upsurge in the number of illegal sand dredgers and land grabbers in the state, saying their activities were counter-productive to the progress of the state. Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum on sand dredging in Lagos recently, Oba Akiolu lashed out at illegal dredgers for creating […]

The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu 1, has deplored the upsurge in the number of illegal sand dredgers and land grabbers in the state, saying their activities were counter-productive to the progress of the state.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum on sand dredging in Lagos recently, Oba Akiolu lashed out at illegal dredgers for creating problems for boats and canoes to navigate on Lagos waterways as deemed fit, resulting in tragic boat accidents in recent time.
He also deplored the activities of land grabbers and land owners who were fond of selling same plot of land to different clients and threatened that perpetrators were toying with jail terms, adding that he had reported those who were involved in land grabbing and re-selling of already sold lands to the Federal and Lagos State governments for proper punishment.
According to the monarch, the era of impunity on Lagos lands and offshore would no longer be tolerated. 
He said: “The land and water resources are traditional rights of the inhabitants (land owners) including Obas and Chiefs. These are their resources derived from God. However, the land owners should refrain from being dubious. They (‘Omo-Onile’) should go to the appropriate authorities and learn how to do it. It is their land alright and they are entitled to its benefits, but they need to go through the proper channel.”
Oba Akiolu also bared his mind on the Eko Atlantic City project under construction opposite the palace of Oba Oniru on Lagos Island. He alleged that a serious injustice was done by the state government to landowners in the development of the gigantic project.
He said he was displeased that landowners in the community did not benefit from the Eko Atlantic City project, adding that government must learn to carry the host community along in developing projects of such magnitude that involved multinationals
 The monarch said that if such alleged injustice that occurred in the execution of the Eko Atlantic City should happen again in the development of projects of such magnitude in future, he would go to court to challenge the state government.