Developers and landlords in the Mende, Maryland area of Lagos State became the latest casualties of the ongoing demolition carried out by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration with houses and structures marked for demolition pulled down.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, clarified the demolition in the Mende axis of the state citing encroachment on drainages and canals in the area.
Subsequently, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Lagos State Governor, Wale Ajetunmobi, highlighted some other reasons for the demolition in the Mende area following backlashes from some Lagosians online.
Popular singer-songwriter, Yemi Alade, voiced her concern at the ‘negative’ impact of the demolition on the affected residents and the investment outlook of the state as a result of the ongoing demolitions.
In a video message shared via her Instagram account, Yemi Alade said: “Lagos State, what’s going on? Does it make sense that people will invest millions of naira and dollars into real estate; buy houses and lands and the state government will demolish the place and render people homeless overnight?
“This thing is happening repeatedly. Right now, Maryland, Mende area is on fire. People are sleeping in their houses, waking up the next day, homeless.
“You’re ruining the real estate value of the state and country, making people lose trust not only just in the idea of Nigeria but lose hope entirely in the little coins they saved to make their lives worthwhile. How is this okay? Why why?”
As highlighted by Governor Sanwo-Olu’s aide, here are 12 reasons for the demolition in Mende, Maryland.
- Drainage and canal encroachment: Ajetunmobi said that the state had to go ahead with the demolition because some of the structures encroached on drainages and canals in the area.He said, “In 1974, ex-MILAD of Lagos, Brig. Gen. Mobolaji Johnson, gazetted the Ogudu-Mende-Odo Iya Alaro right-of-way, clearly defining the alignment of canals and drainage passages,” he said. He added however that over the years developers have overshot the plan, and distorted plans.
“Developers and property owners, over the years, overshoot the areas marked for physical development, thereby encroaching the approved alignment for road infrastructure development, drainage and canals.”
- Failed plea: Another reason the demolition was carried out according to the governor’s aide, was because of a failed plea for a reduction in the marked area after the state convened a series of meetings and engagements with developers and landlords in the area, detailing the encroachment with the admission of contravention by the stakeholders.”These engagements ran into months and years, with owners of contravening structures pleading with the Government to reduce the right-of-way from 230 metres to 60 metres, with 30 metres on both sides,” he said.
- Opebi-Odo Iya Alaro Bridge construction: According to the governor’s aide, “Government rejected the suggestion because of the pending construction of Opebi-Odo Iya Alaro Bridge being currently constructed by Julius Berger.”
- Developers received contravention notices since 2021: According to Ajetunmobi and Wahab, the owners of contravening structures were issued contravention notices three years ago. “In 2021, Lagos State Govt, through the Ministry of the Environment, first served notice of removal of structures contravening the right-of-ways of canals and drainage in Mende-Odo Iya Alaro axis,” he said.
- Illegal buildings and structures were marked for removal following the establishment of encroachment by developers and landlords.
- The member representing the area in the State House of Assembly was duly notified of the infraction and was part of the engagements held with the stakeholders.
- Second notice: Ajetunmobi added that the government served additional notice to the landlords and developers whose buildings contravened the drainage alignment in November 2023. “Two weeks ago, some owners of contravening structures started removing the structures of their own volition,” he said.
- Mende Villa, which claimed it did not build on drainage alignment, was adamant to remove the contravening structures.
- Upon checking records and conducting a new survey, it was established that some buildings within Mende Villa sit wholly in the right-of-way of System One drainage.
- Governor Jide Sanwo-Olu intervened and directed that the width of the System One drain alignment be reduced from 140 metres to 100 metres to save a lot of contravening properties from being demolished.
- The Governor also directed that the 100 metres approved must be divided equally between the Odo Iya Alaro side and Ogudu side. By implication, any structure found on either of the 20-metre alignments has to be demolished. Those are the building being pulled down to clear the way for System One drainage.
- Owners of the affected properties agreed their structures fall within the drainage alignment but they only disagreed on when to remove the building after being served several notices of removal.
