LASG Begins Demolition of Illegal Shanties, Shops

AgegePulse Magazine

...over 2500 illegal structures removed

The operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce) over the weekend began the demolition of all illegal structures, shanties, kiosks and containarised shops at 'Marwa Waterside' area of Lekki, Lagos

Speaking on the demolition, the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi disclosed that the exercise became imperative in preparation for the construction of a coastal road which will serve as an alternative route for the Lekki-Epe Expressway and enhance free flow of traffic on that corridor.

According to Egbeyemi, “Illegal business operators like Iron benders, Mechanics, food/fruits vendors and others were served a seven-day 'Removal Notice' by the government to remove their property and vacate the entire area and it expired on Thursday, 19th of December, 2019.

It was an eye-sore as these illegal artisans, food vendors and others littered the entire area with refuse and waste materials.

Investigation conducted revealed that none of these occupants and illegal business operators have any permit from the State Government as miscreants freely smoke and sell Indian hemp as well as engage in prostitution around residential premises.

The Taskforce confirmed that after the expiration of the removal order, the government still gave these illegal squatters additional eight days grace to vacate the entire area before embarking on the clean-up exercise as well as clampdown on all criminal elements disturbing law-abiding residents within Marwa waterside and the entire Lekki axis.

He implored all illegal occupants on any of the government lands/property to immediately vacate same as it would not be business as usual across the State.

Oyo State Government Finally Reconstructing Yinka Ayefele’s Music House

Oyo State Government has fulfilled its promise by reconstructing Yinka Ayefele’s Music House, Fresh FM, which was demolished on August 19, 2018.

On Sunday, August 19 2018, the ancient city of Ibadan woke up to the depressing news that the Music House belonging to tungba musician, Yinka Ayefele was being demolished.
Not only was this a big loss for the entertainment guru but it also meant residents of Ibadan and environs would lose the pleasure of enjoying the services of Fresh FM.

The city was full of emotion; anger, sorrow and pity. Sympathizers thronged the site and tears flowed freely as they wondered what Yinka Ayefele had done to deserve such disaster.

Bounce News rushed to the scene and confirmed a partial demolition of some conspicuous parts of the beautiful building and damages done to several equipment worth millions of naira
The Oyo State Government carried out the demolition claiming infringement of some building laws but after the media outcry and the condemnation of the masses, the story has now changed.

The Governor Ajimobi led APC government has taken up the responsibility to rebuild the same structure it demolished for violating state laws.
Bounce News visited Ibadan again and met construction workers at work even late into Saturday evening.

We gathered they have a deadline to ensure that the building gets its look back by December 2018.

The Head of News at Fresh FM radio in Ibadan, Samson Akindele, confirmed that it will be ready before December to enable them meet up preparation for the Christmas celebration which the radio station organises for children every year.

“A lot has happened since the demolition in August. We’ve had a lull in the activities going on here.

“Just about two weeks ago, after all the meetings and agreements, the ministry of works in Oyo state through the office of the permanent secretary and the commissioner came in to start fulfilling the promise the governor made that indeed the partial demolition was an activity done in error.”

One would expect that there would be corrections done to the building, but the Fresh FM management and owners of the Music House are still waiting to see what would change.

Bounce News sought the opinions of several persons within and outside Oyo state and there are many questions the people are asking.
Would Governor Abiola Ajimobi have swallowed his pride to reverse his earlier decision if this was not an election season?

Would this building ever remain the same again with the pillars now likely weakened by the demolition or the government has just created a disaster waiting to happen?

Why would a government waste tax payers’ money to demolish a building that now has been proven not to have erred, just to persecute a perceived personal enemy?

El-rufai Issues Demolition Notices To 40 Churches, 16 Schools

A large crowd of residents of Gbagyi Villa – a suburb of Kaduna metropolis trooped out, carrying placards in protest against demolition notices issued to them by Kaduna State Urban Planning Development Authority, KASUPDA. The residents said they had been living in the community for decades and had acquired the necessary titles to the lands and, as such, were jolted by the intention of Kaduna State government to eject them.

Mr. Chris Obodum, Chairman, Gbagyi Community, later told journalists that the community boasted of about 3,500 buildings, 40 churches, 16 schools and 35,000 residents. He narrated: ‘The story of Gbagyi Villa is easy to understand. For hundreds of years, the area has been inhabited by the Gbagyi people.

 El-Rufai later told journalists that the residents of Gbagyi Villa were illegal squatters and that anyone who did not have C-of-O and Building Permit would have his house pulled down. Since none of the residents has C-of-O, it invariably means that the ‘Villa’ will be demolished.

Native Reports

LASBCA ISSUES 7-DAY ULTIMATUM TO OWNERS OF DISTRESSED BUILDINGS

The Lagos State Government has, through the State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) issued a 7-day ultimatum to owners of distressed buildings in Ajangbadi, prone to collapse, to demolish them or risk demolition by the Agency in line with the present administration's commitment to protecting the lives of residents in the State.

The General Manager, LASBCA, Engineer Olalekan Shodeinde gave the warning today during a sensitisation meeting with stakeholders and residents of the community, stressing that a thorough engineering appraisal of such buildings have been done and statutory notices given to the owners.



He stated that one of such buildings prone to collapse is situated at Teslim Street, off Aka Road Ajangbadi in Ojo area of Lagos, noting that the partially collapsed building has long been identified by the Agency but in spite of several statutory seal-up and removal notices served to the owner since August 2017, the Landlord has refused to comply with the directive.



The General Manager, however, maintained that the distressed building will be demolished after the expiration of the final 7-day ultimatum for the safety of residents around the place as well as to prevent loss of lives and property in the vicinity.



While noting that no responsible government will expose her citizens to any form of danger, Shodeinde decried the total disregard for building regulation laws by some residents thereby causing anxiety within the populace.



He emphasised that the 7-day ultimatum given to the various owners is done within the ambit of the law with a view to ensuring a better physical environment for sustainable development.



In his remarks, the Baale of Ajangbadi, Chief Murisiku Teslim said that all efforts are being put in place to ensure that the building owners in the area comply with the State government's directive.





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