The Honourable Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, who stated this during a site inspection to the Workers Village Scheme at Ayobo-Ishefun, said it has come to the notice of the Lagos State Government that some persons or group of persons are selling Government land to unsuspecting individuals.

He added that the parcel of land totalling 8.3 Hectares beside Gold Estate along Ayobo-Ishefun Road in Alimosho Local Government is set aside for the construction of 608 units of two-bedroom apartments for workers in the State.

In his words: “The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development will henceforth commence the removal of all encroachments and contravention buildings from the site as soon as possible”.

While revealing that the encroachers purchased Government Land from speculators without verifying the status of the land at the Office of the State Surveyor-General, he seized the opportunity to alert members of the public against such unscrupulous individuals, families and communities who engage in the widespread, indiscriminate and illegal sale of government land, saying “It will amount to eventual loss on the part of the buyer”.

The Commissioner further stated that the unalloyed mission of the State government is to provide adequate and good quality housing in Lagos and also facilitate access of its citizenry to homeownership as shelter remains one of the important needs of man.

“Why should anyone risk building on Government land without valid titles such as Certificate of Occupancy and building plan approval, when such structure would eventually be removed. There is need for the public to make an enquiry on any property from the appropriate quarters before any transaction buying”, he stated.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Mr. Wasiu Akewusola, who was also present at the site inspection ground, stated that all structures and buildings constructed on the land by persons, companies or institutions without a valid document from State government will be removed through the appropriate Government Agencies.

Akewusola urged the general public to take the formal approach to verify the status of any landed property before consummating any transaction.