Residents of Agric-Owutu in Ikorodu have resisted the Lagos State Government’s attempt to demolish marked houses in the area. A video clip shows angry youths preventing officials from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development from carrying out the exercise. This action was in response to the government’s plan to remove houses owned by residents due to road construction along the Agric-Owutu-Isawo-Arepo Road. In the video, community members confront the bulldozer and task force, expressing their discontent at the lack of prior consultation. An official tries to engage in a dialogue with them, acknowledging their concerns.
The residents emphasized that being representatives of the authorities, they should engage in a conversation rather than proceed with demolitions. Our correspondent discovered that the residents halted the demolition due to an ongoing case in the Lagos State High Court. They contended that the state government declined to engage in discussions regarding compensation, asserting that the state’s intention was solely to acquire and demolish their properties for public use.
Some landlords expressed concerns that the bulldozers might return at a later time to carry out the exercise.
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Attempts to contact Commissioner for Physical Planning, Dr. Olumide Olayinka, were unsuccessful, as his phone went unanswered, and he did not respond to a text message.
Additionally, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, did not provide a response to a message inquiring about the matter at the time this report was filed.