In a bid to proffer lasting solutions to the resurgent activities of land grabbers in the State, Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly during its Plenary on Tuesday set to organize a public hearing to address the issues relating to land grabbers with relevant stakeholders. This is sequel to the motion moved by Hon. Tobun Abiodun who stated that the growing incidences of land grabbing is undoubtedly undermining the real estate sector which necessitated the enactment of Lagos State Properties Protection Law, 2016; therefore calls for urgent attention. Adding that the enactment of the law attracted commendations from Lagosians as it seeks to protect the proprietary rights of land and property owners by criminalising forceful and unlawful entry or occupation of premises by land grabbers in the State. Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, Majority Leader of the House, in his contribution, expressed that the Property Protection Bill which emanated from the House is a Private Member Bill. While stating that the land grabbers issue stems from TaskForce on land grabbing in the State set up by the Executive. “When activities are criminalised but not penalized impunity sets in; the law suffers and the people get the pace. A lot of petitions were written to the TaskForce Committee but not responded to and as result of that, the land grabbers re-strategised knowing fully that there is little or nothing the government could do to stop them. An organization needs to be up and doing, hence urgent intervention is required. Hon. Adedamola Kasumu stated that the issue of land grabbers is a persistent issue in Lagos State. “Land grabbing should be added as part of the oversight function of the land bureau”. He added. In addition, Hon. Rasheed Makinde while expressing his view stated that the lack of implementation of the laws passed by the House is another contribution to the persistent land grabbing in the State, while suggesting that law enforcement needs to be worked on. Hon. Rotimi Olowo noted that activities of the land grabbers need to be checked because the law has given lots of comfort but not implemented efficiently. Adding that the law has been frustrated because of the unscrupulous elements in the Nigerian police who support these Land grabbers to destroy properties and ensure that they give it to who soothe their hands. In view of this, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Obasa set up an Ad Hoc Committee to be Chaired by the Majority Leader, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade in order to give the general public an opportunity to seek their inputs and contributions so that there would be a lasting solution to the issue of land grabbing in the State. Other Members of the Committee are, Hon. Noheem Adams, Hon. Mosunmola Sangodara, Hon. Tobun Abiodun, Hon. Rasheed Makinde, Hon. Nureni Akinsanya, Hon. Victor Akande and Hon. Richard Kasumu. The Speaker however implored the Committee to do a good job in the interest of the State and to report in three weeks.
