The Lagos state government has clarified that the recent demolition of distressed buildings in Alaba International Market, Ojo Local Council, was not a witch-hunt or an attempt to acquire the land but to save lives.

Gbolahan Oki, the general manager of Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA), made this statement during an on-the-spot assessment of the demolition site on Saturday.

The inspection took place amid heavy rainfall and was attended by Kehinde Osinaike, the counterpart from Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), and the seven-member committee appointed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu following the demolition.

The group, led by Oluwole Sotire, permanent secretary of their parent parastatal, the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, conducted the visit.

In response to allegations of tribal bias surrounding the demolition exercise, South-East traders in the market, led by Imo Governor, Hope Uzodimma, met with Governor Sanwo-Olu to address and resolve the concerns.

During the on-the-spot assessment, Mr. Oki clarified that the demolition was carried out to enforce building regulations and laws, with the primary aim of preventing building collapses.

He further explained that a significant number of the demolished buildings did not have the required permits, and the necessary documentation mandated by the state government was disregarded.

He said “All we are after is that the lives of traders and other Nigerians are extremely important to the Lagos State Government.

“I have seen people painting buildings that are delapidated, that are not good, it is not painting that makes a building new. Our lives are more important.”

Mr Oki urged owners of distressed buildings marked for demolition to remove them within two weeks, to prevent disaster, or else government would move in to take action.

“My mandate is to remove anything that is dilapidated, that is harmful to the people that even owns it,” he said.

He stated that Governor Sanwo-Olu established the seven-man committee with the aim of addressing the demolition concerns in Alaba International Market without causing any discord among the traders.

Mr. Oki emphasized that LASBCA officials often faced hindrances when trying to enforce building laws, especially from individuals who failed to obtain proper building plan approvals or engaged in illegal property conversions.

Despite facing challenging conditions like flash floods during the on-site assessment, the LASBCA boss managed to issue a stop work order to a contractor from Ojo Local Government to facilitate a peaceful resolution of all related issues.

Additionally, Mr. Oki assured the protesters, who were carrying placards expressing their grievances, that the government had their interests in mind.

To expedite the resolution of matters, the government appointed an additional 17-man sub-committee, including representatives from the market leadership, dedicated to handling the issues at hand.

Mr. Oki provided an explanation for the demolition of distressed buildings and highlighted the necessity for some traders to undergo regularization processes.

He pointed out that one of the reasons for the demolition was the problem of land grabbers illegally selling the same land to multiple people which created complications and conflicts that needed to be addressed.

Additionally,  he stated that there was a need to rectify haphazard development within the area.

Before visiting the market, Mr. Oki and his team held a meeting with the leadership of Alaba International Market traders at the LASBCA head office in Ikeja GRA.

The market leaders, who were also members of the seven-man technical committee established to investigate the demolition issues in Alaba International Market, discussed the appropriate course of action going forward.

The LASBCA boss elaborated on the processes and procedures governing laws on physical developments and emphasized the importance of complying with regulations.

He made it clear that the government’s decisions were not influenced by ethnic considerations but solely driven by the objective of preventing building collapses and ensuring the safety of traders and all Nigerians.

Chris Maduka, the secretary to the seven-man technical committee on Alaba International demolition, expressed appreciation for the government’s actions in cleaning up the market.

He stated that the measures taken had brought the committee members and the government closer together.

Furthermore, he highlighted that these actions were in the best interest of everyone, as they aimed to protect traders from exploitation by touts who collected conflicting taxes and illegal levies from them.

During the on-the-spot assessment at the market, Maduka appealed for the cooperation and understanding of the traders who were affected by the demolition exercise.

He emphasized that resorting to protests or violence would defeat the very purpose for which Governor Sanwo-Olu set up the Committee in the first place.

Some of the affected traders, holding placards with various inscriptions, pleaded with Mr. Sanwo-Olu to expedite the assignment of the committee to enable them to regain their means of livelihood.

They expressed their desire for a swift resolution to the situations and resume their businesses.