Govt explains demolition of Catholic Church’s fence in Ajao Estate

THE Lagos State government has denied reports published in a newspaper (not The Guardian) that it deliberately demolished the Catholic Church’s fence in Ajao Estate. 

    A statement from the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure stated that the demolition has not in any way violated the church’s property.

   A part of it reads: “The said piece of land, where the wall was erected, is not part of the church but was annexed by the church to use as a car park. It is not within the Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) of the church and the annexation does not confer ownership on the church. 

  “There have been several stakeholders’ meetings involving the church representatives, community leaders and government officials, where the issues were discussed and agreed. 

   “In particular, we want to believe that Reverend Father Paul Anyasi, who represented the church is new to the parish and may not be fully aware of the issues. There is also the need to recall the reconstruction effort of the state government that began in the aftermath of the January 27 disaster, which led to the loss of lives.

   “It would be recalled that the construction of the bridge linking Ajao Estate to Oke-Afa, Ejigbo had increased the population of people using the road. Therefore, to meet the demands of vehicles using the route and create a necessary bypass, the Johnson Umejie Close had to be removed. This will enable a thoroughfare between Kolawole Shonibare Street and Baale Shekoni.

   “For the avoidance of doubt, this demolition is not an attempt to take over anyone’s property. It is absolutely one based on the overall public interest.” 

“The said wall should not have been annexed in the first place,” the statement concluded.