Pen Cinema Flyover: Lagos allays fear of stakeholders over compensation

LAGOS State government has allayed the fears of property owners affected by the removal of structures for the construction of the Pen Cinema Flyover, assuring that all the affected would be compensated in due course.

The state government gave this assurance on Monday in a statement by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Abiola Anifowoshe.

The government specifically debunked media reports suggesting that it was unnecessarily delaying payment of compensation, assuring that those whose structures were demolished would be paid.

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The commissioner, while saying that state government officials were able to serve all the statutory notices through newspapers and other sources and even gave more than enough time for the affected property owners to be aware of the removal, urged the affected people to submit all relevant documents showing proof of ownership.

“Also, there were newspaper publications to that effect stating government intention and expectations from the people. As a matter of fact, many of such have been submitted to my office and the compensation process has commenced fully,” the Commissioner said.

Anifowoshe, while alluding to the fact that the construction of the flyover was in a bid to bring about development and end the perennial traffic situation in Agege axis, said the state government had to remove its own staff buildings belonging to the Lagos State Development Property Corporation (LSDPC) to give way for the project.

“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all residents of LSDPC in Agege that the Lagos State government will compensate everyone involved and also to all other privately-owned property owners that the government understands their plight and is working tirelessly to ensure that those affected are compensated,” he said.

While emphasizing that prompt submission of relevant documents would facilitate the process of payment, the commissioner urged all affected property owners who were yet to produce their planning documents such as Certified Registered Title Document of Properties within the said Right of Way, Approved Building Plan Permit for the affected structures and any other relevant documents as proof of ownership, to do so without delay.

“We like to urge them to submit their documents to the Office of the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Block 15, The Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja to ensure that all affected owners are compensated appropriately.

“In conclusion, the Lagos State Government hereby reiterates its commitment towards ensuring that there is even development across the State. By the time the Pen Cinema Flyover construction is completed, there will be traffic decongestion on the axis and this will enhance the socio-economic development of Agege and environs,” Anifowoshe said.