By Olasunkanmi Akoni

The Lagos State Government, yesterday, assured property owners and landlords affected by the ongoing urban renewal project in Epe Town in the state of adequate compensation.

The assurance came following complaints of continued demolition of  properties by the state government, especially in executionn of the Epe Marina Project.

Speaking at a stakeholders meeting, entitled:”Infrastructural Development and Socio-Economic Benefits of Epe Marina project”, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Wasiu Anifowoshe, a town planner, said the affected properties are not illegal but needed to pave way for the urban renewal projects, saying government would look into it and ensure that those affected by the project were adequately compensated regardless of whether they have documented papers or not.

Anifowoshe added that the government was going to demolish their houses but rebuild them saying, that was why the government gathered the people with a view to developing the town with them.

He continued: “I have told them the development affected my own grandfather’s house too. That is why we are planning with them, planning is with the people and not for the people.”

Speaking, Alhaji Seriki Bamu said that everywhere in the world, development comes with experience such as demolition of structures to give way for the execution of developmental projects.

He therefore, appealed to the residents to endure the pains and hardship associated with the project, adding that there are a lot of benefits inherent in it.