By Bliss Okperan
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development in Lagos State, Mr Oluyinka Olumide, has debunked claims that the ongoing demolition of illegal buildings in the metropolis was targeted at the South-Easterners by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration.
It was alleged that the state government was pulling down structures belonging to residents of the state from the Igbo extraction because of their protest votes in the 2023 governorship election.
Speaking as a guest on Wednesday on Channels Television’s flagship breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily, Mr Olumide disclosed that, “Those buildings causing uproar are buildings rushed during the COVID period when activities of enforcement officers are at the low ebb because of restrictions of movement and you could see that when those buildings were demolished, nobody has come forward to say they were demolished under approval.”
He stressed that, “Anybody can own buildings in Lagos, so long as you go along with the laid-down rules. It’s unfortunate that maybe what we have of recently happens to concern those from certain parts of the country.”
Recall that in October, the Lagos State Government announced the removal of perimeter fences within two meters of drainage channels on the Norman Williams, Awolowo and Ribadu roads in the Ikoyi area of the state.
The Commissioner challenged any of the owners of the demolished structures to come forward with their building approvals.
“We will not demolish any approved building, that’s for sure. So, if there is anybody that has claims that their buildings were approved and demolished, let them come forward,” he said.
Mr Olumide maintained that, “Buildings not done within the confines of the law are subject to demolition.”
