‘It was inhumane’ — association laments demolition of buildings at Alaba market

Leaders of the Alaba International Amalgamated Association have lamented the demolition of some buildings at the market in Ojo LGA of Lagos state.

Last Friday, the Lagos government announced that it would commence the demolition of 17 “distressed” buildings being used for commercial purposes within the Alaba market.

Gbolahan Oki, general manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), announced the planned demolition during an assessment visit to the market.

“We know that this area is a commercial centre and one of the busiest markets in Lagos state. We cannot fold our arms and allow irregularities to continue to thrive in the market where the lives of innocent persons would be put at risk because of the failure of a few sets of individuals who have refused to do the needful.” Oki had said.

TheCable understands that the demolition exercise started on Sunday.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Mbonu Geoffrey, president-general of the association, said the manner in which the demolition was carried out was “inhumane”.

Geoffrey said some buildings that were not initially marked and with no sign of defects were demolished during the exercise.

He called on Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, to visit the market and inspect the exercise.

“We want to state categorically that the way and manner this exercise was conducted was inhumane,” he said.

“To the utter dismay and shock, many buildings that were not initially marked for demolition and with no foreseeable defects whatsoever were included in the demolition.

“We the leaders of Alaba International Amalgamated Association want to show our displeasure in the way and manner this exercise was carried out.

“The leaders of the market were never carried along neither were the property owners given enough time to evacuate their goods and this led to the unmitigated loss of wares and properties. The demolition has brought hardship and loss of livelihood.

“We call on the executive governor of Lagos state, his excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu to come and inspect what is going on in the Alaba international market.”

In March, the Lagos government released a publication showing the locations of 349 “distressed” buildings in the state.