BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

•Victims blame govt, land-grabbers for their woes
•Churches, mosques, estates, schools, markets, others demolished    …
AFter several warnings to owners of structures along  pipeline and powerline areas to vacate such settlements, agents of the Federal Government, last week, moved in with bulldozers, cranes and other equipment to pull down the marked structures.

Such buildings were built along the prohibited routes in Lagos state .

As part of efforts to curb the activities of vandals as well as protect lives and properties, President Goodluck Jonathan, approved a multi-billion naira contract  for the protection of System 2B oil pipeline network from Mosimi to Ibadan in the South West region within 90 days.

The System 2B pipelines take petroleum products from Atlas Cove to depots in Ejigbo, Lagos state, Mosimi, Ogun state, Ibadan, Oyo state, Ilorin, Kwara state and Ore, Ondo state.

Subsequently, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, in carrying out the executive order, engaged the services of engineers from the Nigerian Army, other security agencies to re-establish the right of way for pipeline networks.

Several buildings and other structures, in their thousands, have been brought down in the on going exercise with several others still awaiting demolition.

Thousands of families, owners of structures are left to leak their wounds in places like  Ayobo, Isheri and Ejigbo areas of the metropolis.

One of the demolished illegal squatters at Orile area, Lagos

When Vanguard visited the area at the weekend, many buildings, especially makeshift shops, and containerized shops had been turned into rubble.

An NNPC signpost, already weather beaten, gave an inkling into what is happening several years after its erection. The signpost erected at Pipeline Bus stop, Isheri area of Egbe-Idimu Local Council Development Area, LCDA, like others along the stretch warned thus; “Highly inflammable petroleum pipelines. No erection of building or any structure. Erection or encroachment on the pipelines right of way is illegal according to FG law and at owner’s risk.”

At the scene of demolition, scores of residents were seen in pensive mood, discussing the demolition in groups and lamenting  their plight.

Some youths displaced from their shops were seen picking up whatever they could savage from the rubbles while some were playing football in the large expanse of reclaimed land.

The exercise which reached the area last Tuesday, after the Easter break, affected a number of churches, mosques, particularly, a ultra Modern Proposed Police Association Housing Estate, initiated by the then Inspector General of Police, IG, Sunday Ehindero.

Speaking with Vanguard, a school proprietor, Mr. Adeyemi Ajayi, whose multi million naira residential building was partially affected along Community Road, Pipeline area, Isheri said; “What government wants to achieve is good but they (government) actually created this problem for the people.

“Governor Babtunde Fashola first started it when Ejigbo pipeline went up in flames after vandals burst the pipeline which claimed several lives. Fashola’s government in reaction to the development ordered demolition of some structures along the oil pipelines.

“Subsequently, some structures were demolished but the space was left fallow.

“Before long, area boys and miscreants started living in some of the half demolished buildings, why land-grabbers, otherwise known as Omo Onile, (meaning owners of land in Yoruba language), sub let spaces to unsuspecting tenants and traders.

“ I bought my own house,13 years ago from a former owner who claimed he bought the land from the original owner 34 years ago.

“The man explained to me that, initially, there was no pipeline in the area, that  it was later the federal government came informing the earlier settlers of it’s intention to lay pipes. “Nobody was warned of the danger. Ignorantly, the settlers agreed only to be harassed much later that they were living close to the pipeline which is prohibited by law.

“Well the government has carried out the exercise and they own the land, I think they should look for a way to resettle some of the victims with valid papers to minimise their loss.”

Power lines
Meantime, a similar demolition exercise is taking place under powerlines in the state.

Speaking on erection of illegal structures under powerlines, Mr. Adeyanju Pekun, Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, Ikeja Distribution Company of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, told Vanguard that the measure became necessary because the rate at which residential buildings are being constructed close to PHCN power lines is alarming especially in Lagos.

Some of these power lines include 133KV used for transmission, while 11KV and 33KV are used for distribution.

Also, several buildings and structures built along Powerline Road, in Idimu-Ikotun to Ejigbo Area have been marked for demolition.  Traders and owners of structures have started removing some of their belongings in fear so as not to be caught unawares by the demolition squad. However, some traders and occupants in these areas are calling on federal government to give them some time to plan for proper relocation.