After hearing that some homes in Jakande Estate, Eti-Osa, were going to be torn down, the Lagos State House of Assembly invited Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s officers and a few landowners.
The two officers are Mr. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, Commissioner for Housing, and Mr. Oluwatobi Lawal, Managing Director of Lagos Building Investments Company (LBIC).
This was announced by the house on Tuesday in response to a concern voiced by Mr. Noheem Adams, the assembly’s deputy majority leader, under the heading “Matters of Urgent Public Importance.”
The residents, whose ages ranged from 70 to 80, stormed Adams’ home early on Tuesday and begged him to stop the state government from demolishing their homes, Adams told his colleagues.
“It will be recalled that the majority of the residents lived in Maroko before their houses were demolished in the 1990s and they were relocated to the Jakande Estate in Eti-Osa local government area of Lagos State,” he said.
Adams claimed that until recently when the reported threats of their buildings being demolished started, the residents had lived happily.
The lawmaker said that the citizens’ complaints were already being looked into by the Victor Akande-led house committee on public petitions, but that they had still sent a petition to the house.
“On Sept. 23, some members of the house led by Akande visited the Jakande estate with some officials from the LBIC, who had promised that they will not demolish buildings in the area.
“However on Oct. 12, officials of the LBIC went to the estate to mark houses for demolition,” he said.
Mr. Rotimi Olowo described the inhabitants’ circumstances as pitiful in his contribution.
Olowo claimed that because the estate’s owners had made significant financial investments there, the parties should be able to agree.
His colleague, Mr. Adewale Temitope, who called for a peaceful resolution of the matter, backed him up.
Before confirming the commissioner’s and the LBIC boss’ invitation, the Speaker, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa, made a note that it was essential to comprehend the government’s position before making a decision.
The speaker also concurred that the state government and the property owners should work together and understand one another.
