By Ebun Sessou

When the Lagos State government recently decended on Ijora-Badia, demolishing shanties and stalls, over 40,000 people were displaced and as a result, nerves were strained, tounges  wagging just as the issue becomes a public disourse. Many were of the views that Fashola’s government is only bent on implementing anti-poor programmes, while lots of other held that it was in sinc with the Mega-city plan of the government.

Be that as it may, the government has said it planned to build 1008 housing project  of various categories in the area to alleviate the plight of those who lost their cherished shanties and properties.

But many of these people have expressed worry over the plan saying that as nice as it sounds, it will not eventually serve the interest of those victims. They  opined that the government seemed not to be ready to give the poor a space in this Mega-city arrangement and that at the end of the day the house when completed will be shared amongst  government officials, friends and political associates.

Will anyone blame the people for holding tenaciously to this belief since similar arrangements have not in any way been in their favour?

Speaking with a cross-section of Lagosians on the proposed project in Ijora-Badia, Mr Dolapo Tomori explained that as good as the plan could be, those who will benefit from this new arrangment may not  be the same people who were evicted from the place.

*Gov Fashola

According to him, “It is very easy to write things on the pages of newspapers but when it comes to reality,  the story will change. This is a devastating scenario and unfortunately, it is common here in Nigeria. Government will promise one thing and the next thing you see will be different. That is why I can’t really depend on what the State Government has said.

“If Governor Fashola  promised to build 1008 low-income housing projects in Ijora-Badia, and 1008 low-income families emerge as new landlords, what happens to the rest of the people?”.

Mr Joe, another respondent said that the only way to help the masses especially those people whose houses were destroyed is to include them in the housing project.

He said, “Governor Fashola has proved that he is a leader but he must also understand the plight of the people and find an alternative way of meeting their needs.

“The truth is that there are lots of evil being perpetrated in Ijora-Badia by hoodlums but these people can be rehabil were living in that place as I learnt indulge in some acts that are not lawful but I still believe that they can be given a new life,” he added.

Governor Babatunde Fashola, during the celebration of his 2100 days in office, said his government has  given approval last year for preliminary work to start the 1008 housing units in Badia in Ijora, and 540 units in Ajara, Badagry, adding that the work would start this year.

He explained that the Ijora housing scheme is meant to upgrade the quality of life in the neighbourhood, assuring that the present occupiers will be accommodated in the new units when completed.

A visit  to Ojora’s compound suggested that the family of Ojora may have given their consent for the housing project by the State government to commence.

The Baale of Ojora, popularly called Baba Muni who spoke to the reporter said, the “only thing the Ojora family want in Ijora-Badia is development”.

According to him, “the area accommodates all sorts of people inclduing armed robbers, hoodlums, prostitutes among others and we don’t want such to continue in that area.“

Asked why the people were not informed before the demolition; he said, “All what the people had said were totally false. They were served notice severally by Lagos State government and even the Ojora family.”

The Ojora of Ijora land, Oba Fatai Oyeyinka Ojora while addressing pressmen on Monday declared the support of the Ojora Chieftaincy family for the plans of the State Government to develop a Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme on the wide expanse of land in Iganmu Alawo in Ijora.

Addressing a press conference at his palace in Ijora on the issue, the monarch said the present state of facilities in the area cannot continue, adding that it  lacks the major infrastructural facilities.

He recalled that some eight to ten years ago, the former administration in the state demolished the shanties that were in the area but that the structures returned after some time.

Meantime, Ikwuagwu Emeka George, President, Holmes Viu Properties Limited, Lagos said: “My view is that alternative accommodation should be created. Though we were made to understand that the Lagos State government would create alternative accommodation some where in Epe, that is a long-term project.

It is expected that when the estates are  ready, it would accommodate people. I feel that what government is doing  is not really demolition of houses. They are removing houses that constitute nuisance to the physical planning of the state. I don’t think there is a relationship between what they are doing and inflicting hardship on the people.

They are only re-planning the state in line with the original plan. When government demolishes in the real sense, they pay those who have certificate of occupancy, but you should not expect government to pay those who built  illegally on public spaces. So, if it is clearing of slums that are cited on water ways and other dangerous areas, the government is right on that,” he noted.