In spite of complaints and criticism from ethnic and other interest groups,Lagos state government, yesterday, said it will not succumb to any propaganda, blackmail and threat in enforcing its environmental laws, over the demolition of several buildings across the state.
The state government had claimed that demolished buildings in Lekki and other areas were erected on drainage channels but the government said it wants to avert flood in the state.
Demolition men at work
The state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, said this in a tweet on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, emphasising that no one could break the law and still benefit from it.
Wahab said the law would take its course, warning that the era of ‘anyhowness’ is completely over.”
“We are not going to bow to any propaganda, blackmail or threat. No one can break the law and still benefit from it. The law will take its course. I don’t see ethnicity, I don’t see tribe, I don’t see colours. I see the law and the right things to be done,” he added.
The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Presidential Election, Mr. Peter Obi, had expressed disapproval over ongoing demolition of buildings in Lagos and other parts of the country amid the economic crisis many Nigerians are facing.
Obi had earlier on Thursday, condemned the demolitions. In his comment on X, he said: “It’s with complete despondency and unhappiness that I have followed the ongoing demolitions of properties across the country, especially knowing the extra hardship such acts have been heaping on hapless citizens who are already battling with multi-dimensional Poverty. The poor in our midst who are putting their meager resources are going through very severe financial stress that should not be multiplied further.”
He expressed worries that in some cases, the properties being demolished were the life-time savings and retirement abodes of the aged and incapacitated.
Obi, therefore, appealed to respective governments involved in the exercise to consider the hardship in the country and put a human face to their actions.
He added: “While we should enforce sensible regulations, all actions of the government must show compassion,” Obi stated.
