Labour Party presidential candidate in the last election, Peter Obi, has bemoaned the recent demolition of some buildings at the Alaba International Market by the Lagos State Government.
Recall that the Lagos Government had on June 16 commenced the demolition of what it described as distressed buildings in the Alaba International Market located in the Ojo Local Government Area of the state.
However, the demolition exercise was greeted with accusation of vendetta and witch hunting by some members of the public who claimed the move of the state government was not unconnected to the outcome of the last presidential and governorship elections in the state which were characterised by full scale bigotry and ethnic dog whistling, mostly targeted at Nigerians of eastern extraction — Igbo.
However, the government was unfazed by the accusations and controversy that trailed the demolition, insisting that it did the right.
But reacting to the development, Obi noted that the primary duty of any government is to care for and protect its citizens.
He pointed out that most of the people whose properties were demolished may not have wittingly violated existing laws and regulations on building erection as some of the owners of the building might have fallen victim of unscrupulous government officials who gave them approval in the first place.
Obi stated this in a statement he issued on Tuesday.
The statement read: “Recently, there have been reports of widespread government demolition of so-called ‘illegal’ structures erected by some innocent Nigerian citizens in error. We face a paradox: with a 70 million housing deficit and vast unmet housing needs nationwide, some resort to self-help by building structures that serve as homes, businesses, SMEs offices and stores. Invariably, some of these structures were either not approved or were built with the tacit collusion or approval of the local authorities.
“While some of these ongoing demolitions may be excusable, they have nonetheless, left many victims, mostly ordinary people who erred innocently or were ill-informed or misguided. Necessary corrective measures to planning or zoning violations by governments need not be punitive or unduly insensitive”
He warned government against compounding the woes and hardship of the struggling populace who are already grappling with galloping inflation, high unemployment and other “escalating socio-economic costs and high costs of living”
“There should always be room for compassion and humane correction in taking any remedial action. I respectfully appeal to various governmental authorities to marry the need to enforce compliance with extant regulatory regimes, with consideration for human feelings and necessary compassion.
“Nigerian citizens should therefore, not be subjected to the additional stress of unexpected hardship. Moreover, the various concerned governments should consider paying compensation to those who have lost properties and livelihoods in these unfortunate demolitions to ameliorate their suffering. Such compensation should fall under the rubric of eminent domain that is applicable for properties and assets acquired or demolished in the public interest”