22nd July, 2022
Masters Reality Intl Concepts Limited has debunked claims by the Lagos State Government that it did not obtain approval for development of two of its sites.
The State Government, through the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) sealed two shopping malls being constructed at the popular Alade Market in Ikeja and on the Lekki Epe expressway recently.
General Manager, LASPPPA, Kehinde Osinaike had alleged that the developer of Alade Market failed to regularise the ongoing construction by obtaining permits and building approvals.
Reacting to the closure of two of its sites, the company, in a statement issued by its Head of Media and Public Relations, Ajibola Olaniyi, said its attention had been drawn to publication alleging that it did not obtain approval for development of 2 of our sites.
“Masters Reality Intl Concepts Ltd is a leading real estate development company in Lagos with a parent company doing business for the past 24 years.
“For the past 24 years we have had smooth relationship with Ministry of Physical Planning and urban development but not until recent time,” he said.
He tendered documents showing that the company duly obtained approval for the development of the two sites at Alade Market and in Lekki-Epe Expressway.
On Alade Market, Olaniyi lamented that contrary to report that it did not obtain approval before building, it did obtained a provisional approval in year 2012 but could not commence construction as a result of protest from the market women that demanded for a construction of relocation before the commencement of redevelopment which was done in 2016.
He explained that the main construction commenced in 2019 but was aborted because Lagos State took 596sqm of the Land to reconstruct the Allen roundabout.
“This altered our design and new set of drawings were submitted but to our surprise we encountered continuous frustrations from LASPPPA after paying the sum of N84 million as approval fees and submitting all relevant documents three times.
“On the issue of breaking of seal. There was never a time we broke the seal. On the three occasions mentioned the site was reopened by LABCA after payment of penal fees and also Engr. Omotoso SA to Governor on Special Duties. These are documented facts. It is also instructive to say until now we have not be compensated on our Land,” he stated.
On the development of Triangle Mall, Olaniyi said the company got approval to build while waiting for Governor’s approval to waive IDC.
“We informed the agency that since the Ministry of Environment has given condition precedent to granting of drainage permit, we will have to maintain the canal and also construct the adjacent road, we applied for a waiver to the Governor through Ministry of Physical Planning.
“Recently, we received a letter from LASPPPA demanding for additional payment of N44milion before final approval could be granted. We are resolving this in an amicable manner and we see no reason for this bad report.
“Presently we are collaborating with office of drainage services to clear the central drainage system at Osapa London Lekki in order to protect 17 communities which the drainage system serves,” Olaniyi explained.
He lamented that this onslaught by the agency to label “us anti-government will not achieve any reasonable means as the facts are glaring.
“We are not unaware of the gang up in government to frustrate of development but we say to them that public service is for public good and every effort to pick us against our valuable subscribers will be counter productive because at the end of the day we all pay tax to the government. We all pay taxes to government. We pray that wise counsel prevails.”
When contacted on phone, LASPPPA GM, Osinaike said he would not confirm if the company paid for approval or not on phone.