Some of the displaced homeowners whose building were demolished within the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State have raised an alarm over the short notice given to them by the state government to evacuate their properties.
Some of these victims while speaking to the Punch Metro disclosed that the notice is too short to make adequate preparation for another home giving how competitive and expensive the real estate market is in Lagos.
“What had just happened is beyond me. I can’t imagine being a proud owner of a house and the next thing I am here struggling to find a shelter to put my head on. The notice they gave us was too short to make adequate preparation and avoid what we are going through at the moment. We were not even allowed to remove our belongings properly,” an affected homeowner, Paul Michaels told PUNCH Metro on Wednesday.
Expressing frustration, another homeowner who identified himself only as Philip revealed that his family has been living a hotel since his duplex was demolished.
He said, “I know some people who have moved their families into the houses of their friends and relatives around, but I really do not really have friends around where I can ask my family to stay in the meantime. So, I have moved them to a hotel pending the time we secure an apartment after which I will think of the next thing to do. I have started to look for an apartment and I don’t know how long it will take me to secure one. At the same time, staying in the hotel costs a lot.”
The Federal Housing Authority started demolishing houses in FESTAC Phase II and Abule Ado on November 22.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, has denied claims that the demolition targeted South-Easterners.