News
Peter Obi Reacts to Recent demolition on Alaba market demolition by Lagos govt
Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, has reacted to the recent demolition of some buildings at the Alaba International Market by the Lagos State Government.
Obi said although some of the demolitions might be excusable, they had left many victims, mostly ordinary people who he believed were either innocently ill-informed or misguided.
He said the primary duty of any government is to care for and protect its citizens.
In a statement issued via his verified Twitter handle on Tuesday, the former Anambra State governor advised that “necessary corrective measures to planning or zoning violations by governments, need not be punitive or unduly insensitive.”
Recall that the Lagos Government had on June 16 begun the removal of what it described as distressed buildings in the Alaba International Market located in the Ojo Local Government Area of the state.
DAILY POST reports that the enforcement team of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA and the Lagos State Task Force embarked on the joint exercise.
Following the controversy that trailed the exercise, the government insisted that the exercise was a measure to prevent disaster.
However, Obi maintained that Nigerian citizens should not be subjected to the additional stress of unexpected hardship.
The statement read: “Recently, there have been reports of widespread government demolition of so-called ‘illegal’ structures erected by some innocent Nigerian citizens in error. We face a paradox: with a 70 million housing deficit and vast unmet housing needs nationwide, some resort to self-help by building structures that serve as homes, businesses, SMEs offices and stores. Invariably, some of these structures were either not approved or were built with the tacit collusion or approval of the local authorities.
“While some of these ongoing demolitions may be excusable, they have nonetheless, left many victims, mostly ordinary people who erred innocently or were ill-informed or misguided. Necessary corrective measures to planning or zoning violations by governments need not be punitive or unduly insensitive.
“There should always be room for compassion and humane correction in taking any remedial action. I respectfully appeal to various governmental authorities to marry the need to enforce compliance with extant regulatory regimes, with consideration for human feelings and necessary compassion.
“In Nigeria, we live in a time of extreme difficulties for citizens because of stagnated income, spiralling inflation, huge unemployment escalating socio-economic costs and high costs of living.
“Nigerian citizens should therefore, not be subjected to the additional stress of unexpected hardship. Moreover, the various concerned governments should consider paying compensation to those who have lost properties and livelihoods in these unfortunate demolitions to ameliorate their suffering. Such compensation should fall under the rubric of eminent domain that is applicable for properties and assets acquired or demolished in the public interest.
“It cannot ever be overemphasized that the primary duty of any government is the responsibility to care for and protect her citizens.”
Residents of the Ajiwe community in Ajah, Lagos State, have appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to suspend the planned demolition of their homes for infrastructure projects until they receive adequate compensation.
The affected landlords and tenants claim their properties have been marked for demolition to make way for the Gas Link pipeline and Green Line Rail projects—key components of the new Lagos Airport under construction in Ibeju-Lekki.
Over the weekend, the residents staged a protest along the Abraham Adesanya Expressway, carrying placards with messages such as: “No Demolition Without Compensation,” “We Say No to Gas Link and Rail Project Demolitions Without Compensation,” and “Compensate Us First.”
Kehinde Alakoso, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, acknowledged the public importance of the projects but emphasized the need to account for the human impact.
“These projects may serve the greater good, but the government must also fulfill its legal and moral obligation to compensate displaced residents,” he said.
Alakoso added that formal letters had been submitted to Governor Sanwo-Olu, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, and other relevant authorities in the state.
Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, on Monday confirmed that the death toll from Sunday’s devastating flood in Yola has climbed to 23, with many more still missing.
Upon arriving at Yola International Airport at 1:45 p.m., the governor proceeded directly to affected communities in Yola South Local Government Area, where he offered condolences to victims and assessed the damage.
At a temporary displacement camp set up at Yelewa Primary School, Fintiri met with displaced families, expressed his grief, and reassured them of the government’s commitment to providing immediate relief materials.
He announced the formation of a technical committee, in collaboration with the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the destruction.
“We will constitute a technical committee to carry out a thorough assessment. Based on their findings, we will take concrete steps to assist affected residents,” the governor stated.
Fintiri also condemned attempts by some individuals to politicize the tragedy, warning against the spread of misinformation.
“This is not a time for politics or finger-pointing. It’s a time for unity and action,” he said.
He attributed the flooding to a combination of heavy rainfall and poor drainage caused by blocked water channels, emphasizing the need to address structural deficiencies to prevent future disasters.
The Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has suspended his Special Adviser on Oil and Gas, Felix Osemwengie Isere, for alleged unauthorised fundraising over an upcoming oil and has summit in the state.
The suspension was announced in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor, on Tuesday in Benin.
The SSG said the governor also announced the immediate halt of the planned summit, scheduled to begin on August 7.
“Due to the breach, the proposed summit is suspended, and Isere is directed to refund all monies collected from donors for the event.
“Prospective donors are hereby advised to stop all dealings with the suspended adviser,” Ikhilor said.
(NAN)
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