The Lagos State Ministry of Physical and Urban Development, on Wednesday and Thursday, carried out a demolition exercise in Abule Egba area of Lagos state.
The Lagos State Government, had said that the exercise was important so as to expand the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
Residents, landlords, and business owners in the area lamented bitterly as many of them were left homeless following the demolition of the buildings.
They argued that the Lagos State Government failed to give them enough time to seek for alternative accommodation as they were only given seven days notice.
Many of the affected persons were left in tears and sorrow as the bulldozers brought down the houses, while the heavy machines continued the destruction as they watched in despair.
Home furniture, office equipment, mattresses, and many other household items were seen littered very close to the Abule Egba area. Banks, and residential buildings were affected. Properties worth millions of naira were lost in the exercise.
One of the affected persons had this to say, “The demolition has taken place; there is nothing we can do. I have lost millions to the demolition.”
“I had many shops. There’s serious economic recession and unemployment in the country. This demolition is inflicting more pain on us. I have only been managing and I have a wife with children to take care of.”
“We have been hearing that the government would compensate us but we don’t know if it’s true. Life goes on, my point is we have been rendered homeless.”
Many persons have been expressing their dissatisfaction on the demolition.
The Pastor of First Anglican Church Mission Abule Egba, Venerable J. A Akande, lamented that the 104 years of the church’s proud history has been destroyed in one swoop.
Many other structures housing different outlets such as Tantalisers and a branch of Guarantee Trust Bank, were among the affected.
Workers of the Tantalisers, Banks, and other demolished buildings complained about being jobless as their place of work had gone down.
The Commissioner of Physical Planning, and Urban Development, Mr Wasiu Anifowose said residents with original certificate of occupancy will be compensated by the Lagos State Government.
Anifowose stated that, “What we have in Abuja Egba is a federal land acquired in 1971. It has a gazette and there are laws to that. What the Federal government did with the gazette is what we are doing.”
“If the houses fall within the right way, and they have the certificate of occupancy, they shoud bring it to the office. We will the look at the certificate of occupancy and compensate them adequately if it is genuine. Anybody that has a title document on his property will be compensated.”
He added that the government would not remove any building that did not fall within the right of way.
Mr Wasiu also added that the actions they took was for the benefit of the citizens and he urged them all to be supportive of this government.