Shop owners in Dolphin Estate lament demolition

Property owners along Alimosho Street, Dolphin Estate, Lagos, have lamented the demolition of their shops, describing the development as unjust.

Some of the affected people said the demolition by a task force made up of officials of the Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area, Kick Against Indiscipline and armed policemen came despite several appeals for more time and a court summons.

The aggrieved landlords, who reside mainly along the Alimosho Street, where the shops were located, said properties worth millions of naira were lost to the exercise carried out on July 3.

The spokesperson for the affected landlords, Mr. Ademola Arikawe, said the LCDA informed the residents that the shops had to be demolished to pave way for the construction of a health centre for the community.

He said the residents were not against the councils quest to bring about development in the community, but that such should have been done in a humane and just manner.

Arikawe said, When this matter was initially raised, we told the council officials that constructing the health centre at the site where the demolition was carried out would be in breach of the layout plan of the Lagos State Development Property Corporation, developers of the estate; as the site earlier earmarked for the project in the master plan has been encroached upon by the police.

Since it is not possible for the local government to acquire it back, they decided to shift it six feet away from our windows not considering the implications it will have on our health and wellbeing, since they plan to erect a storey building on the site. If this plan goes ahead, the environment around here will be choked and can lead to suffocation in our homes; besides devaluing the value of our homes.

Moreover, the site serves as an open space, which we the residents use for recreation. If the project is allowed to go on, all of that will be lost. We shouldnt be singled out to bear the brunt of the impact of the proposed project since it will benefit the generality of Dolphin Estate residents and environs.

He said all the parties involved were still in the process of settling the issue when the demolition was carried out.

They struck suddenly on July 3 using force and intimidation despite the fact that the matter is in court; besides several written appeals to Lagos State Governor, the Ikoyi-Obalende Council Chairman, as well as the state ministries of environment and physical planning and LSDPC. This impunity must not continue. Agents of government should be custodians of the law and not the violators. Consequently, we demand adequate compensation for our losses and an apology, he said.

Originally posted here:
Shop owners in Dolphin Estate lament demolition