Controversial demolitions

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1. Short notice

Owners of houses demolished by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and Lagos State Building Control Agency (LSBCA) across local governments have raised an alarm over the short notice given to them by the state government to evacuate their properties. Over the past month, authorities have commenced demolition exercises in Lekki, Alaba Market, Ajao Estate, Abule Egba, Ladipo Market, and Amuwo Odofin for contravening the state’s laws. 

Oluyinka Olumide, Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, refuted claims that the demolitions in Lagos were motivated by ethnic bias.

Around Ikeja and beyond

2. Grief

According to a report by the Punch, some homeowners affected by demolitions carried out by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and Lagos State Building Control Agency (LSBCA) were filled with grief as they lost properties worth millions of naira. According to a resident, multiple houseowners have lost their lives from grief. 

3. Halted destruction

The Vanguard reported that the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja issued a ruling that puts a stop to the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and Lagos State Building Control Agency (LSBCA) from demolishing any more residential houses on 6th Avenue in Festac Town, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Lagos State.

4. Transport union

The Lagos Chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers has chosen Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo) for another term as chairperson, the Punch reported.

5. Finding peace

The Lagos State Taskforce has strongly condemned the practice of blocking roads to hold social events, which inconveniences other road users and disrupts the peace of communities, Nairametrics reported.

From the Record

6. Noise pollution

Similarly, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency shut down seven hotels and a church because of noise pollution. The agency stressed the importance of enforcing measures to tackle noise pollution in the state.

7. Election appeal

The PDP chapter in Lagos State is challenging the Court of Appeal’s ruling that supported Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s win in the March 18th governorship election, the Record reported.

8. Lagos-Ibadan rails

Passengers of the NRC’s Lagos-Ibadan rail service are frustrated by double bookings on their e-tickets. 

9. Okada ban

The Lagos State government, on Monday, crushed 1,500 motorcycles, commonly referred to as Okada, that had been impounded during numerous enforcement of the ban on their operation in 10 Local Governments (LGs) and 15 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) within the state.

10. Finding home

In the latest instalment of our house-hunting series, we shared some important factors to evaluate when renting an apartment in Lagos.

This edition of Ten Things was written by Sultan Quadri.

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