The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, has dispelled remarks by residents of the demolished estates in Lagos of government’s act of impunity.
Wahab stated that the Lagos State Government issued the residents of Mende Villa Estate two demolition notices in 2021 and 2023.
The clarification is coming on the heels of allegations made by a property developer in Mende Villa. He had claimed that no the proper notice was not given before the commencement of the demolition exercise.
But speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Sunday, the Commissioner insisted that the government authorities followed due process. He informed that authorities had issued contravention notices and marked the properties slated for demolition before the exercise was carried out on Saturday.
According to Wahab, his predecessor, Tunji Bello, served contravention notices in 2021 to property. And upon assuming his role in Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term, another notice was served. Those affected were property encroaching on the setback of the System One drainage channel in Mende Villa, Maryland.
The Commissioner added that the latest notices were issued to the developers in November 2023.
“If there were no notices, how come the Developer has been engaging us with documents and correspondences for the past month?” the Commissioner queried.
Wahab further stated that the Lagos Civil Service consisted of the most efficient personnel. These are people who would never engage in practices capable of jeopardizing their career and future.
According to him, “I can say it boldly, we have the best of brains in the Lagos Civil Service. And they will not joke with a process that can hurt them and their careers.
“We sat down for over a week and said, run through this process again; let us work back through this process. We’ve given them enough notice for this. Since the past two and a half years, he didn’t dispute the fact that we had to dredge the particular alignment.
“Let us leave out emotions and sentiments. We have a choice to make if we want this country to be good. If we want a better society, we need to take ownership of the truth. The truth is, they were served notices. They were engaging the government but they wanted to eat their cake and have it.”
Wahab also explained that owing to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s magnanimity, the right-of-way was reduced to 100 meters from 140. This spread on a 60/40 basis (60 Mende/40 Ogudu) instead of the initial 140 sitting on the Mende side alone.
“I went there myself. If I was mischievous, I wouldn’t be there with them. I would have given the order from the office. But I said no, I owe them a duty to explain to them. That even the Governor had approved that we reduced the width from 140 to 100.”
Wahab, therefore emphasized that the executive did what it believed was for the overriding public interest. He reiterated that the residents were served demolition notices twice.
The Commissioner also urged those who feel their rights have been violated to seek redress through the court.
source: PUNCH
