The Lagos government officials, including the Task Force and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), have demolished some buildings in Ayetoro community in Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of the state.
According to reports, the demolition, which occurred without prior notice on Monday, has displaced thousands of families, rendering many homeless.
Ajimuda Gbenga, a resident, recently reported that the LASEMA officials in collaboration with policemen, arrived and immediately began demolishing buildings in their area.
Recall that The Lagos state Government earlier claimed to have issued a 30-day final notice to owners and occupiers of residential buildings illegally converted to churches, mosques, clubhouses, lounges and bars in the commercial city.
According to Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for environment and water resources, the notice had become crucial following the distortion of the master plan of Lagos State.
“Lagos State Government has given 30-day final notice to owners/occupiers of residential buildings illegally converted to churches, mosques, clubhouses, lounges, and bars across the state without approval for change of use, to revert to the original use of the structure.
“The notice is as a result of the distortion of the master plan of Lagos State, especially residential areas, by some people who in gross disregard to the regulatory provisions of the law turned residential areas into clubhouses and worship centres thereby constituting a nuisance to the environment”.
“The removal notice became imperative following security concerns of citizens and repeated complaints of non-adherence to safety and security guidelines issued to the club owners”.
“Any building owner in residential areas that have been converted to churches, mosques, clubs, bars or lounges without the requisite approvals should evict such occupants before the expiration of the 30 days’ final notice as the state will not give further notice of sealing but outright removal of such non-conforming buildings at the cost of the owners”.
Samuel Adebayo, who is the community representative for Ayetoro community in Yaba Local Council said;
“The government’s directive seems to be aimed at displacing us for the expansion of a neighbouring plant markets”.
“We are witnessing homes being destroyed by bulldozers, and in some cases, even being set on fire. When we later contacted, LASEMA’s Director-General, Dr Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyintolu, he described the alleged allegations as ‘painful and unjust’, strongly denying the agency’s involvement in the disruptive act”.
Dr. Oluwafemi stressed that the role of LASEMA is to save lives and properties, not demolish them, stating that, every of the agency’s operations are always transparent.
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