Demolition of homes: S4C charges Lagos government to provide temporary shelter for affected people

Stanley Ihedigbo

One of the leading Civil Society Groups in Nigeria, Spaces for Change (S4C) has tasked the Lagos State Government to provide temporary shelter to those they are demolishing their homes and memories, most especially Ifesowapo, Ifedapo, Otto/Ilogbo, and Ifeoluwa communities in Ebute Metta, Lagos State.

In a statement made available to The Mirror, Executive Director, of Spaces for Change, Ms. Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri urged the state government to provide temporary shelter to the hundreds of persons already displaced by the demolition while the government work out modalities to pay them compensation or resettle them.

She added that the halt the demolition in communities not yet affected by this unholy exercise, pending the resettling of the residents.

“Lagos government as a matter of urgency provide adequate succor in the form of medical and humanitarian assistance to the victims to cushion their respective losses. the traumatizing and heart-rending demolition, which began by 9:30 am on the 22nd of March, 2024, allowed residents only 30 minutes to park their belongings and vacate their life-long homes, was unfortunate and inhuman.

“We condemned in the strongest terms the demolition executed by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA) under the coercive enablement of the Nigerian Police Force. The demolition which has so far left hundreds of people, mostly women and children, helpless, stranded, and exposed to weather elements is being implemented using tear gas, teasers, and other items of coercion at the disposal of the State. This vendetta against the communities suggests that it is now a “crime” to be poor and vulnerable in Lagos State.

“While the persons affecting the demolitions refuse to provide any information on the reason for demolition, information from sources close to the Lagos State Government suggest that the demolition complies with the State Government directive to demolish and remove any “shanties” and “inhabitable places” within Lagos to make way for “decent houses” and development. It is important to note that some of these residents being displaced have lived and built memories in the communities for over 30 years with their families. Now their life memories and experiences are been ‘murdered’ in the vilest means without alternative shelter,” she lamented.

The S4C Executive Director explained that the development violates the fundamental human rights of ownership of private property and human dignity as protected by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights. This demolition is an unfortunate demonstration of the deep insensitivity of the government to the current harsh economic realities in the country and the difficulties low-income earners are going through to support themselves and their families.