Demolition: Alaba Traders  Seek Sanwo-Olu’s Intervention

President-General of Alaba Amalgamated Council of Sectional Heads,Hon. Geofrey Udochukwu Mbonu, has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to probe the demolition exercise carried out by the Lagos State Building Control Agency’s(LASBCA) at Alaba International market in Ojo Local Government Area of the State,where over 30 structures were demolished.

Mbonu disclosed this while addressing newsmen in view of the recent demolition of properties at the market, explaining the encroachment by the agency during the exercise.

He added that they were shocked and surprised the way the exercise was done without considering  that the market generate huge revenue for the local government and the state at large.

“Prior to the demolition, there was no notice by the agency, they came on Friday while demolition took place on Sunday , we were not giving time to even evacuate our goods.

“Although, it is no longer news that there are certain distressed buildings that LASBCA had marked for demolition around the canal but they have shifted that particular canal away from the building because that place had been sold to a certain developer, who has the local government logo and approval to build a shopping mall,” he said.

He expressed displeasure over the damage,  alleging further that some of the claims made by government were false.

“We are under a local government where huge revenue  is generated, we pay tax and what government did was to demolish our buildings alongside the victims wares within the space of two days.

“We are not against government carrying out demolition exercise but the manner in which they have invaded us without issuing a warning notice and tackling the issue with a sense of humanity to achieve it. We are shocked by the lies told by the agency that we have been violent each time they come. Igbo traders have been peaceful,” he lamented.

Mbonu said that each time the officials came,  they asked for authorisation papers and did not  issue a notice of demolition.

“The buildings marked close to the canal and certified dilapidated and distressed had been marked for years, but they asked for papers each time they came. What about the new buildings that are not closed to the canal  that LASBCA  has equally destroyed, our secretariat and other new structures?

“This act is threatening our existence as a people. Igbos are not the only people doing business in Alaba, we are only  the pre dominant tribe there. We have had cordial relationship with the LG, while we do business and have always contributed to the development of the area and state,” he said.

The President of Alaba International Market Association, electronics section, Chief Camillus Amajuoyi said the demolition took place  suddenly and the extent of damage is enormous.

Amajuoyi said they have written several petitions to the  government on the issue of area boys and  exploitation of  members and customers with no response.

He added: “ Apart from the demolition of properties, our land is ceded to another developer, with Lagos Logo on it. Ndi -gbo voted for Sanwo-Olu, while are they treating Igbos this way. If they want us to leave the state, they should inform us than meting inhumane and unjust treatment to us.”

Earlier,  the General Manager of  LASBCA, Gbolahan Oki declared that the affected buildings were marked for demolition many times since 2016, but occupants had disregarded the notices.