The Lagos government destroyed the illegal structure in the trade exhibition complex

The Lagos state government on Thursday began to destroy the illegal and unsafe structure in the trade exhibition complex in Ojo as part of an effort to enforce physical planning laws and restore order to the area.

Senior Special Assistant in the New Media to the Governor of Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Jubil Gawat, confirmed exercises in a post in X. He explained that the operation targeted by developments established without legal approval, damaged buildings, and structures built on road setbacks and drainage channels.

According to him, the government cannot continue to ignore the unrequisible construction that hinders critical infrastructure and pose a risk to life and property.

Law enforcement exercises are carried out jointly by the Ministry of Physical Planning, Lagos State Building Control Agency (Lasbca), Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, and Authority of the Physical Planning Permit of the State of Lagos. Officials from the infrastructure office, members of the State Council Council, and security operators are also ready to provide support.

Buldoser was mobilized to drop a marked structure, while some traders and shop owners witnessed with attention to the impact that might occur on their business.

The Sanwo-Olu government has repeatedly warned residents of buildings without consent or penetrated drainage channels, emphasizing that the violation contributed to flooding, traffic congestion, and urban disorders in the state.

Demolition exercises are part of a campaign in all states that are broader to protect infrastructure and ensure public safety in Lagos, one of the most dense cities in Africa. Officials argue that illegal developments that prevent the road and drainage channels worsened floods and congestion while damaging the planned urban development.

However, past demolition exercises have attracted criticism from the affected population, which accusing inadequate notification and loss of property. At Oworonshoki, for example, the occupants who were moved complained that they were not given enough time to move or protect their goods.

The state government had previously introduced the amnesty program to enable building owners who were not approved or irregular to regulate their structure without punishment. The window, which was extended several times, has now been closed, opening the way for tighter enforcement.

With the expiration of amnesty, Lasbca has intensified the elimination of illegal construction throughout the lago, with a focus on the area where the structure blocks drainage channels, violates the setback of the road, or has been declared damaged and unsafe.