Really, nobody born of a woman would like his or her buildings to be demolished either by the Government or any legally constituted authority’s. The big question that comes to mind here as with reference to the case of “Mende Villa” which I term as Saga! Is that were the house owners ever did ask or make search of the areas from relevant authorities before they built or encroached?
From the report gotten so far has shown that those affected homes or buildings were earlier warned of their trespasses.
What efforts were made by them to vacate those buildings before this time?
Why must we continue to insinuate that any assignments carried out by government and its agencies are tailored to certain tribes of the people of this country?
What’s the roles of Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Lagos State Physical Planning and property permit Authority, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, Lagos State Ministry of Environment, and of course Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
In all the above mentioned Ministries and MDA’S Policies are to midwife to the issues of enlightenment, building control, guidelines, management, and guidance.
The just concluded ELP- LASBCA interactive sessions held on Thursday 2nd May, 2024, that was held highlighted and shown cases of various blunders made by Estate developers and individual private builders.
Pictorial and videos of areas where contravention by Estates, developers, and private individuals for not adherence to Physical Planning of various ministries building guidelines were violated was shown.
Permit me to say this proverbial adage that a fly when no dey hear word dey follow dead body enter grave
No sensible government will just wake up to demolished houses built by her citizens without warning them of their wrongs.
Besides even if it’s have to do with Government ROW, the people must be informed of the Government’s intention.
During the last ELP- LASBCA interactive meeting which I attended as ELP member and Special Guest representing the Satellite community, a question was asked why certain area in Mushin that was demolished during the regime of former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola for safety reasons is still in use by some of our ethnic groups, using that section of the community for trading even when there is eminent evidence of danger to lives and properties!
Simply put if the Government decides to evacuate them today or tomorrow as the case maybe, people will say that the Government hate this group of persons without them not knowing that the Government is fighting for their safety.
How on Earth will someone display goods on railway lines, under high tension of 33kva Electricity installations, blocked drainage channelisation, turning streets to closes and the government will be watching them because of the fears of what people will say. No oooooh that is wrong! Haba!
I want to advise here that we should not be quick to condemn Government actions when certain actions are taken by the Government.
In that meeting we were informed that before Government will embark on anything such as demolition or displacement of any kinds, affected Estates or residents would have been served letters of notices from the Government, and a reminder notice before such actions are carried out.
Yes, this doesn’t mean that the Government will come immediately as the case maybe it’s operation can be after ten or more years to implement it.
Take for instance the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Laspppa, and LASBCA 90 days free window exercise moratorium given Lagosians to regularise of getting their buildings approvals, someone there will not seize this opportunity to do so.
After expiration of the Grace periods and the government will carry out decisive action, thereafter people will be wailing at Government not being considerate.
Let us at times look at the two sides of the penny coin before we cast aspersions about Government right or wrong.
My sincerely and personally advise to us in this Forum is that we should discard hate speech, ethnicity dichotomy messages, deductive reasoning about this notion of groups thinking!
Calling of names, abuse and negative use of words to describe your fellow members.
This is another opportunity open up for Lagosians now to regularise their buildings approvals. pls make sure you use this opportunity.
Let’s learn to criticise constructively and wisely among ourselves and Government activities/actions.
Govenor Imitini
Chairman Satellite Town Forum.