Council of Ezes in Lagos storm Alaba International market to confirm reports of demolition of complexes, Laments over traders loss.
…..Leadership of Alaba International market also laments the demolition of 37 complexes in guise of a rebuild, Says traders are at a loss.
By Onome Naomi
The Council of Eze in Lagos chaperoned by its chairman, Eze Chika Nwokedi pays a visit to confirm the news making rounds on the internet of a proposed demolition being carried out by the Lagos state govt. Meeting with the leadership of Alaba International market he lamented over the demolition of 37 building complexes without due notice prior new project commencements by the Lagos State Government.
The Igbo traditional leaders gathered information through the President General of the Alaba international market Hon. Mbolu Udochukwu Geoffrey aka Man Udi that the Lagos state govt has in the last few days commenced demolition of complexes in guise of removal of dilapidated buildings while it’s original purpose is to sell out the occupied lands to some Chinese foreign investors whom will inturn build complexes for sale to traders more expensively.
The PG further stated that the traders had a 24hr notice prior demolition which is not enough for traders to get alternative storage of goods.
Hon. Mbolu , The president General of Alaba International market Amalgamated, Chairman of Fancy and Furniture expressed his confusion on the sudden demolition of Alaba International market under the ojo local govt. He narrated to the Ezes that the issues started last year when the local govt representatives and some developers came to the market to demand for documents of the complexes bought by traders, the PG and stakeholders were served some papers and documents related to the demolition. Delegates were sent to the local govt in Ojo to phantom the situation as most of the demolished shops was built majorly by igbos and allocation papers was obtained at the Ojo local govt. This documents qualifies for a loan at the bank as a certified property owner.
Mbolu further stated that:
When this papers were asked for, those who has certified documents went to Ojo local govt for verification while others who doesn’t have documents started processing theirs’, yet the govt officials came to mark buildings for demolition which prompted another revisit to reverify documents.
Two weeks ago the officials from Ojo local govt came to serve some notice papers for traders to evacuate their building premises in the next 24hrs as demolition will commence after the given time. On the said day, the officials came with heavily armed security presence to the market which made the PG approach the officials.
He said the officials employed heavy security presence in order to avoid any form of reprisal from the affected traders. The PG said he declined on the fact that no trader will launch an attack on them yet the security men still in a show of intimidation released tear gas unto the faces of PG and stakeholder of the market
On Thursday, 15th June 2023, the traders were given 24hrs to evacuate the premises of their trade alongside their wares up for demolition to take place.This antecedents led to the mobilisation of market leaders of Alaba who inquired from the Ojo local govt authourity why the demolition would happen before 24hrs.
The revenue generated into federal govt purse from Alaba international market is substantially fat, the reason for the demolition is unknown as it is, so much lies has been told by the state govt on national television simply to cause a fuss, he noted.
The President General of Alaba International market took the Ezes and press men to the demolition sites and pointed out that the canal which the govt says needs to be a passage way but also being sold out to foreign investors, some developers are interested in building ultra modern market, multi purpose hall and car parks, the govt collaborated with them to displace traders, he noted.
He stated that they have their family receipt of payments and proper verification was made before buying these lands, says if actually the buildings are in a bad condition, then demolition is bound to happen but the traders weren’t given proper notice to vacate the premises standardly.
While expressing dissatisfaction over the demolition processes , PG calls on the government to come to their aid by confirming what these agencies have done and if they are assigned to do so. Says he will not oppose the decision of the government if actually the demolition is happening to save the lives of the citizens.
The PG said they haven’t met with the govt yet as they are still grieving over losses incurred as some of the affected traders are being hospitalized , although the next line of action will be taken in no distance time as these foreign investors have even done flyers for a building they haven’t developed yet in collaboration with Ojo local govt which is under the state government, he explained.
Chairman of Eze Council, Eze Chika Nwokedi alongsides his Vice Eze Jude Nnaemeka Odumodu and other Ezes which includes: Eze Ezudo Eze Dr. Barr Chukwunobi, Eze Chinedu, Eze Okoro, Eze Augustin Sunday Ojukwu, Eze Albert , Eze Akalika, Eze Nze Marcel Okezue, Eze Chukwukadibia Umenwekwe, stormed the market as Chairman of the council upon hearing from the PG addressed the gathering of traders who were affected, he told them that the council of Ezes has made provision for 7 legal team of lawyers who has been put together for a legal advice for igbos so as to avert any of this occurrences in future, this Lawyers will help interested buyers verify the property of interest so as to avoid demolition or confiscation of any sort.
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The Ezes learnt that the reason for some demolition carried out is because the shops are near the canal. Upon inspection, it was revealed that the excuse of shops lined along the passage ways of the canal is unfounded. Instead, some building materials from a Chinese company laid in the demolished areas ready to be utilized while some police officers were seen securing the area. We are not certain as to what is happening in those areas being demolished and why the Chinese company is occupying this areas, but the PG of Alaba International affirmed that the demolished areas has been sold to a Chinese company, Eze Chika said.
He also stated that there are plans underway to visit the Lagos State governor to ascertain the true position of the government as the council has confirmed the dire situation of affected traders. After meeting with lasg, compensation of this traders will be formerly demanded to ease the loss incurred.
The govt in its capacity could have stopped the erection of the demolished buildings from the inception so as to avert this great loss by traders. This arouses questions as to who issued paper of approval in the first instance? It has been noted that some traders loss as much as 2billion naira , some have been hospitalized due to the trauma. My advice will be that for every property acquired by Igbos, the legal team of Eze Council can be contacted for verification of properties to ensure it is safe enough to be bought, Eze Nwokedi noted.
The Chairman of the Eze Council further affirmed that the team of lawyers will be created within one month and render services free of charge to help the igbos tow the right part in property acquisition and other relevant cases. Seeing the governor is paramount as this will throw more light as to what is truly obtainable.
