The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, has sealed two beaches and issued a stop-work order on 180 other buildings in Okun-Ajah, Eti-Osa area of the state.

A statement by the ministry’s spokesperson, Akodu Morenikeji, noted that the enforcement was carried out due to the alleged failure of concerned parties to comply with summons over encroachment on state-owned land.

The exercise, which began in the early hours of Monday, was led by the Commissioner for the ministry, Dayo Alebiosu, who noted that several notices and summons had previously been issued to the defaulters but were ignored, prompting the state government to initiate the enforcement measures.

Alebiosu expressed disappointment with the encroachers, stating that they had deliberately disregarded multiple warnings from the state government over time.

“This level of disregard for laid-down rules and property ownership cannot be tolerated. The state government has made efforts to engage the affected parties, but their refusal to comply has left us with no choice,” the commissioner stated.

Alebiosu said more than 40 offenders who had earlier been served contravention notices for encroachment had been accommodated by the government and issued their E-Survey documents after fulfilling all requirements stipulated by law, but some others had ignored warnings.

The ministry reiterated its commitment to protecting state-owned land and ensuring sustainable development along the state’s waterfronts.

“Over 20 suspected defaulters were arrested in the course of the enforcement, and they will be made to face the full wrath of the law,” the commissioner added. (The PUNCH)