The Lagos State Government has clarified that the recent demolition of shanties and unapproved buildings at Oworonshoki followed due process. According to Mr. Gbolahan Oki, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, the affected structures were served demolition notices after residents ignored warnings to obtain planning permits ¹.
Key Points:
- Amnesty Programme: The state government offered a three-phase amnesty from May 2024 to December 2024 for owners of unapproved buildings to regularize their documents. Despite this, most residents failed to comply, with only a few taking advantage of the program.
- Demolition Justification: The government justified the demolition by citing security concerns, blocked drainage channels, and the need to improve emergency access routes. Oki emphasized that most demolished buildings were distressed and posed security threats.
- Community Engagement: LASBCA officials, community leaders, and traditional leaders engaged residents through meetings and sensitization programs before the demolition.
- Permit Process: Oki noted that obtaining a planning permit now takes 10 to 15 days once necessary documents are submitted, and the office issuing permits has been decentralized to all local government areas.
- Statistics: During the amnesty period, 18,489 applications were submitted, and 8,856 planning permits were issued.
Residents, however, have expressed concerns over the demolition, citing severe hardships and economic disruption. Hundreds of residents were left stranded, and many families were rendered homeless ² ¹.
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