FG, Lagos Set Up Tripartite C’ttee to Resolve Perennial Land Issues

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the Lagos state government have agreed to work together towards an amicable resolution of all pending issues around land administration in the State.

This, according to a statement last night by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Salisu Haiba, was a key outcome of the meeting between the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos yesterday.

Dangiwa was on a working visit to Lagos state where he visited the ministry’s field offices, including the Glass House which houses over 40 federal government’s agencies, landed federal government properties and the former Federal Secretariat in Ikoyi which is currently under dispute with the state government.

The minister and the governor agreed to set up a tripartite committee comprising the ministry, Lagos State Government and the Resort International Limited, who took over the complex and started work on it before the dispute.

The committee will review and assess all positions in order to solve the lingering  dispute in a mutually beneficial manner to all the parties involved.

The minister used the opportunity of the courtesy visit to intimate the governor of the ministry’s efforts to provide decent and affordable houses to Nigerians and ensure urban development and slums upgrade.

Dangiwa commended the remarkable progress made by the state under the  administration of  Sanwo-Olu in delivering good governance and transforming Lagos state into a beacon of progress and innovation.

He also appreciated the governor for providing land in Ibeju- Lekki area to the Ministry for the Renewed Hope City Project for which construction for 2,000 housing units is already ongoing, with expectation of the official groundbreaking by President Bola Tinubu early next year.

To foster an investment-friendly, smart, and sustainable environment in Lagos state, the minister sought the consideration of the governor on the need for harmonisation of federal and state regulatory activities, saying that building the synergy was crucial to attracting private sector investment, as well as ensuring sustainable urban development.

Dangiwa appealed to the governor for common ways to resolve the lingering lands problems with the federal government in Lagos state, which he said has been a concern.

He emphasised the significance of coming together to consolidate on the existing relationship between the federal government and Lagos state being the former seat of the  government.

 “The federal government and the Lagos State are partners in development and land administration. It is important for us to work together in the spirit of cooperation and understanding,” he said.

Besides, he expressed confidence that addressing the problems collaboratively will further strengthen the relationship between the two tiers of government, enhance urban development, and improve the lives of the people of the state.

The minister was further delighted to state that Lagos State is the first to domesticate the National Building Code, further looking forward to a mutually beneficial partnership between the Ministry and the state.

At the Glass House, the minister used the opportunity of the visit to address the staff of the over 40 agencies occupying the facility.

He assured them that  his ministry will carry out a major renovation of the building, restore it back to life with electricity, water supply and other necessities to make it conducive for workers.