An urgent call has gone to the Lagos State government to make good it’s promise made 15 years ago to compensate landlords and tenants whose properties were demolished to pave way for the ongoing reconstruction of the Lagos- Badagry expressway.
A prominent traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Oladele Friday Kosoko JP, Oniworo of Iworo Awori Kingdom in Badagry division of the state made the call in a letter written to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
The monarch, a former member of the Federal House of Representatives, in the letter dated January 10, 2023 advised the government to give the issue an urgent attention for the sake of credibility particularly at this period of elections.
Oba Kosoko was responding to groanings from affected landlords and tenants over failure by successive governments in the state to pay compensation since 2008, when buildings and other structures were pulled down for reconstruction of the expressway.
Affected property owners and sympathisers who took the state’s unfulfilled promise as reckless abandon of lawful obligation to it’s citizens are said to have concluded arrangements to mobilise residents of the area not to partake in the coming general elections.
The affected area stretches from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko where buildings for various purposes were pulled down to pave way for reconstruction of the Badagry expressway and BRT lane.
The concerned landlords, had after several unfruitful attempts to make the state fulfill its obligation to them, took the matter to traditional rulers in their various communities for intervention.
The people were said to be particularly worried that the state government might have closed file on their fate, in view of the recent pronouncement that owners of the over 800 buildings to pave way for the construction of the $3 billion 32km, 4th Mainland Bridge would be adequately compensated without any mention about their situation.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, while speaking at a news conference recently, disclosed that structures to be demolished to pave the way for the project had been pruned down from 2,000 to 800, and government had concluded plans to adequately compensate those to be affected.