Joyce Onwuka
Landlords in Badagry area of Lagos State whose structures were demolished by the State Government have called on the authorities to hasten and pay them their compensation.
They reminded the Government that it made the compensation promise 15 years ago when those properties were demolished to pave way for the ongoing reconstruction of the Lagos- Badagry expressway.
A prominent traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Oladele Friday Kosoko JP, Oniworo of Iworo Awori Kingdom in Badagry division of the state made the call in a letter written to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
The Monarch, a former member of the Federal House of Representatives, in the letter dated January 10, 2023 advised the Government to give the issue an urgent attention for the sake of credibility particularly at this period of elections.
Oba Kosoko was responding to groanings from affected landlords and tenants over failure by successive Governments in the state to pay compensation since 2008, when buildings and other structures were pulled down for reconstruction of the expressway.
Affected property owners and sympathisers who took the state’s unfulfilled promise as reckless abandon of lawful obligation to it’s citizens are said to have concluded arrangements to mobilise residents of the area not to partake in the coming general elections.
The affected area stretches from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko where buildings for various purposes were pulled down to pave way for reconstruction of the Badagry expressway and BRT lane.
The concerned landlords, had after several unfruitful attempts to make the state fulfill its obligation to them, took the matter to traditional rulers in their various communities for intervention.
The people were said to be particularly worried that the state government might have closed file on their fate, in view of the recent pronouncement that owners of the over 800 buildings to pave way for the construction of the $3 billion 32km, 4th Mainland Bridge would be adequately compensated without any mention about their situation.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, while speaking at a news conference recently, disclosed that structures to be demolished to pave the way for the project had been pruned down from 2,000 to 800, and Government had concluded plans to adequately compensate those to be affected.
The promise to compensate both the affected landlords and tenants, of the demolished buildings along the Lagos- Badagry expressway was first made during the tenure of Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) as the state Governor.
The concerned landlords are also calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the matter since the Badagry expressway is a Federal highway being managed in trust for the Federal by the state.
According to Oba Oladele Kosoko, in the letter to Mr. Sanwo-Olu, “it is worrisome that owners of the properties, demolished along Lagos – Badagry expressway since 2008 are yet to be compensated.”
The Monarch who however, expressed support for the construction of the Fourth Mainland bridge, reminded the government of the urgent need to consider those whose properties were demolished for the reconstruction of the expressway for payment anytime it would be settling those to be affected in the fourth mainland bridge project.
The traditional ruler, noted that the idea of a fourth mainland bridge “is great, beautiful and quite commendable,” as it would position the state for more global recognition and rapid development to effectively fall within the world standard but the state should not forget it’s responsibility to those to be affected negatively in the exercise as well as those whose fate had been hanging since 2008.
He expressed disappointment that despite series of reminders sent to the state, to fulfill its promise to adequately compensate those whose buildings were pulled down along the Badagry expressway, nothing had been done till date.
“Another similar experience is in my kingdom, Iworo Awori community in Olorunda Local Council Development Area, Badagry, Lagos State, where properties and buildings were demolished in 2017 during the construction of the phase 2 of the Iworo- Ajido-Imeke-Ilado-Aradagun roads,”
The ruler, noted that though his subjects appreciated Government’s efforts at making life better and comfortable for it’s citizens, they were being made to perceive the failure to adequately compensate them for their demolished buildings as an act of wickedness by “an unreliable ruling party.”
Oba Kosoko, however urged, governor Sanwo-Olu to view the matter as priority and urgently find a lasting solution to avert an unfavourable situation, adding that,
“It would be a great relief for those affected if the fund for compensation is released within the period of the coming elections and it will be another plus to our winning streak.”
