Firm faults ex-commissioner’s claim on sealing of Lekki setbacks

A firm, Punuka Investment Limited, yesterday, faulted a claim by a former Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Kayode Otitoju, and his wife, Oladunni, over the sealing of setbacks in Lekki.

Otitoju had petitioned Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urging him to order the unsealing of his road setback, which housed a mechanic workshop in Lekki Phase 1.

He said the place was sealed by the Ministry of Water Resources at the instance of the Commissioner, Tokunbo Wahab, and Punuka Investment.

Otitoju’s wife, in a separate petition to the state House of Assembly, said her farm, housing an abattoir in the same location, was sealed.

But Punuka Investment, in a statement by its counsel, Adeyinka Abdulsalam, said: “Our attention has been drawn to two publications by Sir Kayode Otitoju and his wife, Oladunni Otitoju, in which our company’s and our director’s names feature.

“We state that Punuka Investment Limited is the owner of the property situate at Block A10 Plot 7, Layi Yusuf Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos. The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) is the statutory body established to manage parks, gardens, open spaces, and recreational grounds in Lagos State under the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency Law 2011.

“In accordance with the law, Punuka Investment Limited applied to LASPARK on August 11, 2020, for the adoption of the setback abutting the property.”

After careful consideration, including the company’s 3-D design for a beautification garden and parking facility there (forwarded to LASPARK by letter, dated May 10, 2021), LASPARK granted approval to Punuka Investment Limited. This was confirmed in their letter of April 12, 2022.

“Punuka Investment Limited was in effective possession of the said setback until agents of Sir Kayode Otitoju trespassed on it and established a mechanic workshop within it.”

“Punuka Investment Limited, being a law-abiding citizen, sued Sir Kayode Otitoju and his company, Jukot Ventures Limited, which he claims got a licence to operate a mechanic workshop within the setback and canal culvert. The purported license was obtained while the case was pending.”

The statement added: “Also, specific power over open spaces in the state is vested in LASPARK, not the Ministry of Transport. Further, a mechanic workshop is not a transportation activity within the purview of the Ministry to allocate an open space.

“We advise the Otitojus to ventilate whatever grievances they may have against the administrative actions taken by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to the appropriate authority and leave the names of our company and our director out of their publications.

“It suffices to state that the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development is responsible for ensuring the proper adherence to Lagos State’s master plan.
“Thus, an area designated for high-end commercial and residential use (such as Lekki’s new downtown of Admiralty Way) should not be used as an abattoir or mechanic workshop. It poses serious environmental risks and devalues significant investments in the area.

“Punuka Investment Limited and Dr. Anthony Idigbe SAN reserve their rights with respect to any libellous comments made against their persons.”

Punuka Investment Limited is the developer of PAS World Centre, a six-floor mixed-use iconic development in Lekki.

The complex is designed to accommodate offices, restaurants, shops, and other facilities.

The company’s vision is to provide living, play, work, and leisure spaces.

The PAS World Centre is the company’s second investment within Lekki Phase 1, the other being its three-floor International Law Centre, indicating significant investment in the Lagos urban renewal project of the Lagos State government.

The company would continue with its investment strategy in Lagos State if the conditions were conducive.

In addition, the company supports Punuka Foundation, a non-profit registered in Nigeria and the USA, and the owners of the Punuka Foundation Childcare in Sangotedo Lekki Peninsula, which caters to children with special needs and fosters youth development.

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