President Bola Tinubu has issued a stern warning to developers against constructing structures on the setbacks along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, emphasizing that such violations will lead to demolition without compensation.
The president made the remarks on Saturday during the commissioning of the first 30 kilometers of the highway in the Lekki area of Lagos.
“Let me, at this stage, warn all developers. The Federal Government will enforce the setbacks, if not for anything, for the interest of our nation,” Tinubu declared.
He stressed that the setbacks—designated distances of 3 to 9 meters from roads or property lines, enforced by the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) and Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA)—are critical for ensuring ventilation, privacy, safety, and urban order.
Tinubu further cautioned that unauthorized structures on these setbacks would face strict enforcement. “Development without approval will not be compensated if demolished. We have gazetted and published the setbacks. We are going to enforce it rigidly in every way possible,” he stated.
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The federal government projects the 700-kilometer highway, a flagship infrastructure initiative, will be completed within eight years.
The president also called on road users and residents to take responsibility for maintaining the newly commissioned infrastructure. “The government can build roads, but it is left for us citizens to maintain. Motorists and residents alike are hereby encouraged to utilize this opportunity very effectively and well,” he urged.
The commissioning event was attended by prominent figures, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, Finance Minister Wale Edun, Works Minister Dave Umahi, and second-term governors such as Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos).
