Lagos — ALL is not well in highbrow Parkview Estate in Ikoyi in Lagos, where a spate of unwholesome physical development projects seems to be turning the supposedly exclusive residential scheme on its head.

Located close to Old Ikoyi and Banana Island, Parkview, with its numerous spatial ills, is speedily turning into a slum settlement: drainage channels (if they exist at all) are either blocked or filled up and flowing nowhere; roads are potholes-ridden and unsightly; abandoned, broken-down vehicles block access to streets; and houses as well as fences are built at variance to laid-down regulations.

Bothered about the development, the residents a couple of months ago petitioned Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola and Mr. Francisco Abosede, who is the Physical Planning and Urban Development Commissioner.

Titled "Encroachment and massive construction of permanent structures on public road setback in Parkview Estate," the correspondent sought the authority's intervention in the matter. It noted that, if not nipped in the bud, the developments could have serious consequences on the habitat of the locality.

It reads in part, "Presently, there are so many developments going on within the estate with total disregard to stipulated town planning regulations chief among which are: construction of permanent structures on road setback, blockage of drainage channels, density violation and irrational environmental abuse."

One of the residents, who pleaded anonymity, said that there was actually a response from government but that the initial enthusiasm showed by the officials had thawed.

He said, "To be fair to (Governor) Fashola, he reacts when he gets complaints, but those that are detailed to carry out his directives are slow to act and found wanting. There is a traditional ruler with a palace within this estate, but he seems either unaware or unconcerned about these happenings.

"In most cases, these government officials come and mark the contravening structures with the promise to take further action. But this is usually not done and the contraventions eventually continue.

"For instance, barely seven months after the stoppage of illegal developments sometime ago, construction work soon started again at the site with reckless abandon directly on road setback."

Nevertheless, the residents want the governor and commissioner to delegate the Task Force on Development Control "to stop these illegal developments before it is too late for remedial action."

Ikoyi is an island suburb that encompasses the eastern half of the Lagos Island and lies at the edge of the Lagos Lagoon. It is one of the communities within the Eti-Osa Local Government Area.

The area that makes up Ikoyi was originally part of Lagos Island until it was separated (from the island) by a narrow waterway that was dug by the British colonial government. This canal has now been built over or filled so that the two islands are fused together again. It is shielded from the Atlantic Ocean by Victoria Island and the broad sand spit running east down the coast.

Apart from Parkview Estate, Ikoyi includes the newer suburbs of Banana Island and Dolphin Estate.

Ikoyi has some of the most opulent residential facilities in Nigeria and is thought to have the most expensive real estate on the entire African continent, with the average new apartment selling for N120 million (around US$1 million). However, due to the limited available land, many of these are vertical apartment buildings.

The rent for a luxury three-bedroom apartment in Ikoyi is between $45,000 and $80,000 (N5.2 million and N9.3 million) annually. Five years ago, it was between $10,000 and $30,000 (N1.16 million and N3.5 million) per annum. An acre (six standard plots) in Banana Island, Parkview Estate and Osborne Road in Ikoyi now sells for between N400 million and N450 million. Five years ago, it sold for between N50 million and N150 million.

This development is a radical departure from Ikoyi's original design, which was originally composed of modest single-family residences with large gardens. Considering the lack of constant electricity, pipe-borne water, and general decay in basic infrastructure that is typical of Lagos, concerns have been raised as to whether Ikoyi has the necessary road and water infrastructure to continue to sustain this type of development.