NIWA, NAPEX and LASG clash over water front

THE National Inland Waterways Authority, (NIWA) the Lagos State Government and the Nigerian Army Post Exchange (NAPEX) are currently at logger head over a parcel of land located on Walter Carrington Crescent opposite the United States Embassy in Lagos.
The piece of Land in question is said to originally belong to the Lagos State Government, which reportedly gave the land to the Nigerian Army, who in turn allegedly sold the land to Mr Wale Babalakin and others for about N1.6billion.

THE National Inland Waterways Authority, (NIWA) the Lagos State Government and the Nigerian Army Post Exchange (NAPEX) are currently at logger head over a parcel of land located on Walter Carrington Crescent opposite the United States Embassy in Lagos.
The piece of Land in question is said to originally belong to the Lagos State Government, which reportedly gave the land to the Nigerian Army, who in turn allegedly sold the land to Mr Wale Babalakin and others for about N1.6billion.
Shipping Position Daily was told that In order to take possession of the land, the Lagos State Task Force on Environment was called in to carry out a demolition of the structures on the land.
It was in the course of the demolition exercise that the Task Force officials allegedly went beyond their brief to pull down structures that went not said property.
The action of the Task Force was drew the attention of the occupants of the demolished offices, as they protested the illegal demolition of their sources of livelihood.
One of the affected occupants Chief Abayomi Akerele, Managing Director of Joe Yomi Maritime services said that his office has providing marine services to its customers since 1975 adding that he pays all necessary dues and taxes as at when due.
Akerele stated that the location of his office is outside the controversial piece of land noting that he has a court judgement on the portion that was illegally demolished by the State Task Force.
Officials of the NIWA also condemned the action of the Task Force, saying that the Lagos State is encroaching on its right of way.
Engr Joseph Ororo, General Manager in the charge of South West of NIWA’s operations said that this was not the first time the state government is encroaching on its right of way.
He regretted the fact that officials of the Task Force refused to take them into confidence before carrying their illegal demolition.
Informed sources close to NAPEX disclosed that while the land cost that much, only N700million was declared to the Army authority as the balance of over N900million went into private pockets.
Vanguard also gathered that after the sale of the land, Mr Wale Babalakin gave Jide Taiwo , a property consulting firm N250milliom to settle occupants of the land.
It was further learnt that Babalakin and his partners which includes some retired Major Generals have concluded plans to erect a hotel on the controversial piece of land.