- By Halimah Olamide
the buildings, their fences are not built on the canal
The defeated governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the last Lagos election, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has given reasons why Lagos state government has erred in its demolition of buildings in the Mende Estate area of the state.
Rhodes-Vivour, who personally visited the scene of the demolition on Tuesday, said the fact that the state government had been giving property owners Land Use Charge bills for years is an indication that the government recognises the buildings as validly constructed.
According to the LP chieftain, violence had been done to the residents in an unprecedented manner noting that if previous governors like Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode had served without considering the buildings to be illegal, it would amount to wickedness for the current administration to demolish the buildings.
He said after interacting with the residents, he was told that at no time did the government give them any quit notice adding that up till now, no one is talking of compensation for the affected property owners. “What we understand is that this place has been in existence for almost 20 years. All the documents – consents from the government… And the buildings, their fences are not built on the canal.” he said. He demanded from the government on what basis the government would demolish the buildings with the Governors’ Consent and other legal papers .
https://twitter.com/i/status/1787880354524574018NPO Reports that the government had explained that the properties were demolished because their fences stand on the canal and had obstructed free flow of water causing flood in some parts of the state.