By Gbenga Akanmu
Lagos State House of Assembly has directed the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to stop the proposed demolition of houses in Atinporomeh and Araromi in Olorunda Local Council Develop-ment Area of Badagry.

Speaker, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, yesterday, gave the directive while addressing residents of the area, who staged a peaceful protest to the Assembly complex.

Speaking through his representatives, Bisi Yusuf and Suuru Avoseh, the Speaker directed the Ministry not to carry out any demolition pending the outcome of the House’s investigation into the matter.

He said: “We are all honourable people and we will not do anything illegal. Please do not allow miscreants to hijack this protest from you. Go home peacefully. We shall come up with appropriate recommendations.”

Earlier, spokesman of the group, Mr. Unim Samuel said officers from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development came to their communities, served them documents and marked their houses for demolition within seven days.

According to Samuel, the communities have continuously been under threat and intimidation from an unknown developer who had always used police to intrude into the communities and uses caterpillars to demolish their property.

Samuel said: “We are here on a peaceful protest to inform the Lagos State House of Assembly about their activities in our communities. We have only today, out of the seven days given us by the ministry, to pack out our belongings.

“We do not know where to go,” he added.