The Socialist Democratic Party, SPN, has condemned the demolition of houses at Yaya Abatan and Obawole areas of Ogba in Lagos State, describing it as wicked.
The party said it was unfortunate that the Lagos State government was hiding under the excuse that the buildings were illegally constructed.
In a statement issued by the chairperson of the Lagos State chapter of the party, Mr. Rufus Olusesan and its publicity secretary, Shoyombo Monsuru, the party alleged that the demolition was carried out without alternative means of accommodation or compensation of any sort for the affected persons.
The statement reads in part: “This is sheer wickedness and insensitivity at its unimaginable height and man’s inhumanity to man as the Lagos State government failed to provide adequate palliatives, only to subject the poor people to more hardship and agony. The palliatives provided in all sense of reasoning are not only inadequate, but also insulting.
“SPN holds that this demolition by the Lagos State Government undermines the stay-at-home and social distancing order and has violated the Lagos State Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulations 2020. The right to housing is more than ever before an inalienable right, creating homelessness and making the lockdown for the affected community horrendous amount to state terror.
“SPN calls for the arrest and prosecution of the Lagos State Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello and all other Lagos State Government officials who ordered and actively carried out the demolition for violating the Lagos State Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulations 2020 and rendering many households homeless.
“SPN also demands that the State Government should provide alternative housing for the affected people and pay adequate compensation to all the victims of the demolition.”
