Claims that South-Easterners are the target of the ongoing demolition by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu have been denied by Oluyinka Olumide, the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development.
Olumide claims that the state’s destroyed structures were hurriedly built in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown without permission from any of its agencies.
During his speech on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program on Wednesday, he disclosed this.
Unverified rumors on social media suggest that the destruction targets residents in southeast Nigeria.
He said, “Anybody can own building in Lagos as long as you go along with the laid-down rules,” to the anchor’s question about whether the demolitions were directed at South Easterners as had been suggested. It’s regrettable that perhaps the recent events affect people from particular regions of the nation.
“Those buildings that are causing this uproar were rushed during the COVID period, when enforcement officers’ activities are at a low point due to movement restrictions, and you could see that nobody has come forward to say that those buildings were demolished with permission when they were demolished.”
Any owner of the destroyed buildings was challenged by Olumide to produce their building permits.
“There is no doubt that we will not demolish any permitted buildings. Thus, Olumide advised anyone with proof that their structures were authorized and demolished to come forward.
He emphasized that constructions that are not allowed on the drainage system will be removed.
Olumide stated, “Buildings not done within the confines of the law are subject to demolition.”
In October, the PUNCH reported that the Norman Williams, Awolowo, and Ribadu roads in the Ikoyi region of Lagos State were to have perimeter fences removed within two meters of drainage channels.
“There is no doubt that we will not demolish any permitted buildings. Thus, Olumide advised anyone with proof that their structures were authorized and demolished to come forward.
He emphasized that constructions that are not allowed on the drainage system will be removed.
Olumide stated, “Buildings not done within the confines of the law are subject to demolition.”
In October, It was reported that the Norman Williams, Awolowo, and Ribadu roads in the Ikoyi region of Lagos State were to have perimeter fences removed within two meters of drainage channels.
The unlawful structures on the drainage system in Orchid Road, Agungi, Ajiran, Conservation Road, Osapa, and Oral Estate may be demolished by the Lagos State government.
