We demolished houses in riverine community to forestall disaster, says Lagos govt

The Lagos state government has defended its decision to demolish some houses in Otodo Gbame,a riverine community in the Lekki area of the state.

The houses were destroyed on Friday, leaving many residents homeless.

Amnesty International had condemned the act, describing it as an abuse of human rights. The group also criticised the government for not obeying a court order which restrained the action.

But Steve Ayorinde, commissioner for information, said the action was carried out in order to forestall an environmental disaster and another round of deadly brawls that led to the razing of the Otodo Gbame community in November.

Ayorinde said the current administration will not condone any act that amounts to a breach of its environmental and urban planning laws.

He said government’s position on clearing “illegal shacks and unwholesome habitation” was extended to Ilado and seafront areas beside Freedom Road in Lekki.

“Government would neither be stampeded nor blackmailed into abdicating its constitutional responsibilities to guard against a potential health and environmental hazard in the area by condoning what amounts to a breach of environmental and urban planning laws,” he said in a statement.

The government also denied violating any court judgment as “incorrectly alleged”, maintaining that it owes a duty to the larger population of the state to ensure that public health and safety is maintained.

According to the statement, the Otodo Gbame Community is one of the 39 claimant communities that had commenced action to enforce their fundamental rights pursuant to Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009 before Onigbanjo. J of Lagos division of the High Court of Lagos state in Suit No. LD/4232MFHR/2016..AKAKPO & 38 ORS vs. AG L/S & 3 ORS.

Ayorinde said the judge however did not deliver judgment on the matter but referred the parties to multi-door court house for negotiation.

According to the commissioner, since the claimants had submitted the case for adjudication, it would be unacceptable for them to return to the area or to erect shanties and perpetuate unsanitary and environmentally dangerous conditions, hence, the need for the government to maintain order and public safety.

“The leave granted to enforce their rights was tantamount to an order of status quo ante bellum on the parties, which amongst other things, required that the claimants do not take any action within the area after it was destroyed by fire,” Ayorinde said.

“The undisputed fact is that Otodo Gbame was engulfed by fire that razed down the entire community in November 2016, which rendered the area uninhabitable.”

He maintained that the state government was mindful of the welfare of the affected citizens and had indeed expressed its concerns and willingness to explore an amicable resolution in so far that the demands of the claimants are reasonable and lawful.

Ayorinde said the government had no interest in the area, other than to ensure that the delicate ecosystem of the waterfront remains safe, clean and secure.