Obi Demolition Error in the Trade Exhibition Complex, the Lagos Government replied

The Lagos state government has reacted to comments by the 2023 labor presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who condemned the demolition of the plaza in the Lagos International Trade Exhibition Complex, Ojo.

Obi has described the exercise as an economically unfair and destructive thing.

Obi, who on Tuesday visited the parts of the parts of the spare parts and Machinery Dealers (Aspamda) in addition to members of parliament including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) and Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central), said the plaza was pulled down even though the affected traders had legal approval.

“Many traders are affected by large -scale investment – often through loans – with the hope of securing their livelihoods and contributing to a wider economy. To destroy legal investments without a process that is not only unfair but also economically destructive. This incident should not have a place in a country with high -cost, stability, and shares.

But the Lagos state government has rejected its position, insisting the demolition is carried out legally after repeated violations of planning regulations.

Commissioner for information and strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, in a statement, said Obi tried to prepare the sentiment, emphasizing that the affected owner had no valid approval.

Omotoso explained: “The building owner has no approval. They have enough time to arrange their letters when the state government declares last year as a public amnesty, which was extended several times. The owner was shunned by the offer. When physical planning officials would not come, when it would be discussed with themselves, they would be beaten.

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“Their defense is that the Trade Exhibition Management Board allows them to build their structure. This is wrong. The council, which is the creation of a federal government to manage the complex, does not have the power to approve or regulate development in an independent complex of the Lagos state government. Physical planning and construction development are within the reach of the state government.”

He further quoted the Urban and Regional Planning Law of Nigeria in 1992, as domesticated by the State Regulation of the Lagos, which mandated that all physical development in the state must obtain approval from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

Omotoso added: “This position was further clarified and reinforced by the supreme court judgment of 2003 (Attorney-Genal of Lagos State V Regulate Development Control within their territories, including federal lands, except for core areas like military formations or exclusive federal enclaves.

“Commercial activities, but every construction, change, or development still requires a lagos state planning permit. Conversely, such developments will be considered illegal based on state law, and the state government has the power to seal or destroy it. In other words, the Management Board can allocate space and give approval, but giving approval, but administrative approval, but administrative approval.

Demolition has triggered anger among traders who regret large losses, while raising new questions about overlapping regulations between the Federal Council and the state government in urban development.