……………Powers to own, control lands on and along shorelines vested with FG – Belgore.
The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has taken steps to normalise ownership of all its landed properties nation wide, and specifically called on all waterfront property owners to abide by the law and normalise their documentation.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Shuaib Belgore stated that the steps are being taken in validation of the Supreme Court Judgment delivered in January 2024, namely waterfront, shoreline areas and waterways set backs.
Belgore explained that, it was in this regard that the Honourable Minister, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa engaged all the relevant stakeholders especially waterfront property owners in Lagos State with a view of getting proper documentation and titling of properties, licenses, permits and statutory charges as expressly stated undrer the exclusive legislative list of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
He said “The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and Lagos State Government clearly have defined areas of responsibilities and collaborations with regards to administration of landed properties as provided by the law”.
Accordingly, the Permanent Secretary advised all waterfront property owners, dredgers, boat operators to properly process all documents that will enable them to conduct their businesses unhindered with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) where applicable.
Reacting to the publication by the Lagos State Building Control Agency’s (LASBCA), to the Residents of Banana Island, Belgore advised all Waterfront properties owners to strictly abide by the law as expounded by the Supreme Court Judgment of January 2024.
” The general public and LASBCA should note that the Land Use Act, CAP L.5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and the 2nd schedule to the 1999 Constitution (exclusive legislative list) has vested the Federal Government with the powers to own and control all lands on and along the shorelines (Banana Island, Osborne Phase I and II, Lekki Waterfront e.t.c),” he remarked.
Signed
Salisu Badamasi Haiba
Director Press and Public Relations
