A Coalition of civil society groups have queried the Lagos State government over the recent demolition of about 7,000 homes in Oworonshoki, Kosofe local government council, describing government’s claim that the communities illegally converted and live on wetland as disingenuous.

The coalition, namely Fabulous Urban Nigeria Foundation, Rethinking Cities, Shantytown empowerment foundation, CEE-Hope, Oworo Youth forum, Lot5 Charity foundation, Lagos Urban Development Initiative and Heinrich Boll Stiftung, said the affected areas such as the Precious Seeds Community are not on wetland but border the Lagoon.

They further stated that the government’s actions of sand-filling the wetland for development purposes contradict their stated concern for wetland protection.

According to the groups, over 40,000 households in Oworonshoki were affected by the demolition, after the Ministry of Environment had issued enforcement notice on July 18, 2023 to residents in Lekan Oyebade Street, Oworo and others, for disobeying the Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017.

They said issuing one notice for a whole street or community instead for individual residences affected is demeaning and deprives residents of their individual rights.

They noted that the demolished area is assigned for a newly proposed Jetty site of 70-hectares in the newly published Kosofe Model City Plan (2020-2040), whereas a functioning jetty already exists in Oworonshoki, built five years ago.

While suspecting foul play in plans for future development of the area, it stated: “The Ministry of Transport is responsible for the development of the planned jetty until 2035. Why did the ministry not discuss with affected residents for their possible integration?

“The notice states that after seven days of non-compliance the person will be prosecuted under the law; it does not state that the person’s property will be demolished. If Lagos State government claims to have notified all affected residents, let them provide all copies as proof.

“Demolitions were carried out by the State’s Building Control Agency, which never issued any notice nor gave any reason for its actions. This lawless action is an impunity that is not befitting for a city striving to be the leading economic hub of Africa (Lagos State Development Plan 2052). No one can feel safe.”

They added: “Only two streets received such notice, while over 7,000 homes and structures spread across several streets and communities were demolished.”

On government claims that houses do not have toilets, the coalition said affected communities, such as Precious Seeds Community, have shown resilience and resourcefulness by implementing self-help measures.

This, it said includes providing mobile dry diversion toilets for themselves and their neighbours proving their willingness to cooperate if given a fair chance, recognition of their self-help and support from government.

The coalition further said the evictees are demanding an opportunity for dialogue with the government to address their grievances.

In reaction, the Director, Press and Public Affairs, Lagos Tasks Force, Mr. Abdulraheem Gbadeyan, said the government did not demolish houses, but shanties in the area. He stated that most of the structures in the area were makeshift buildings.

Gbadeyan lamented that it has become a practice among the people that once they erect makeshifts in a location and stay there for three years; they begin to claim ownership and start to sell land in the area.

“It is not houses that were demolished, but shanties. Criminal elements are many in Oworonshoki and when they collect people’s phones and other valuables from motorists on the bridge they run into the area.

“Even the cult groups operate from that community. That is why the government considered the place for demolition to drive away criminal elements.

“In some locations where we have gone to demolish shanties, three months after, you will start asking whether we have carried out any activities in such locations. The people would start looking to connect electricity to the area,” he said.

On the government’s plan for the areas, he disclosed that the authorities would hand over the site to the state’s parks and garden agency so that the evictees will not reoccupy the place.