Daily Independent Online.
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Thursday, July 01, 2004.
Alaba traders decry shops’ demolition
Dada Jackson
Snr Property and Environment
Correspondent, lagos.
A save-our-soul appeal has gone to the Lagos State
government to come to the rescue of
traders at the Ojo Alaba
International Market over
the alleged demolition of their
shops by men of the state task force through what they described as
selective exercise.
According to the owner of the multi-purpose shops,
Mr. Chika Elile, over 50 shops,
situated on the Ojo Alaba road, were demolished by the task force.
Elile, while briefing reporters at the site of the
demolished shops, pointed out that the multi-purpose plaza known as “I
love Jesus Plaza”, were demolished over the allegation that the
structures were built along the canal thereby obstructing the flow of water.
Elile, however, refuted the claim, adding that it was
not only spurious, but outrageous. He pointed out that the shops were not built
on the canal as alleged, adding that he is a victim of persecution because some
shops that were built very close to his were left untouched by the task force.
According to hm, since he bought the land over 31 years ago, the omoniles (land owners) have not stopped
making unnecessary demands from him.
Elile said that because of his refusal to continue
paying them and some other extraneous reasons, his properties have continued to
be subjected to series of abuses adding that the demolition exercise could not
be unconnected with these reasons.
Saying that he started business in the area in 1971,
Elile explained that he acquired some properties in the area, which he claimed
were worth millions of naira,
wondering why he is “being persecuted unjustly”.
He further said that he was not served any notice
before the exercise was carried
out, adding that men of the taskforce came in three vehicles and claimed that
they were from the governor’s office. He stressed that his tenants later
discovered that they did not come from the governor’s office.
Elile said that besides demolishing the structures,
some of his tenants’ valuables were stolen. None of his tenants resorted
to violence despite the provocation by men of the taskforce, he said.
According to him, the tenants were taking stock of
the goods that were damaged, explaining that he had briefed his lawyers over
the matter. He added that he would also write a petition to the state
attorney-general, intimating him of the development.
