Road construction: residents demand compensation for demolished houses, shops

Some residents of Alagbado community have appealed to the Lagos State Government to pay them compensation for their houses and shops demolished for road construction.
Mr Oluwatobi Kuye, a member of Alagbado Community Development Authority (CDA), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday that over 1,500 structures were affected.
“As you can see, over 1,500 houses have been demolished including the shops along this axis, AIT Road Alagbado.
“We appeal to the government to help us with some amount of money at least for adjustment as a result of our demolished property.
“Majority of the landlords here are elderly people who depend on the rent from these shops and houses for a living,’’ he said.
Mr Nonso Okeke, a trader at Kola Bus Stop whose shop was demolished, told NAN that the exercise would affect his life.
Okeke said that he had just finished the payment of the shop in February with the agreement that the shop has become his personal property for life.
“I paid N2, 500, 000 for outright purchase of the shop from my landlord in February; after two months of payment we received notice from the government that the place will be demolished for road construction.
“All we want now is to appeal to the government for compensation, because we have spent lots of money in this place and the government should have given us long notice before now,’’ he said.
Mr Bisi Yusuf, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly told NAN that the project was for the benefits of the residents.
Yusuf who is the Chairman, House Committee on Public Account said that he had met some of the landlords before the demolition.
“This project is unavoidable, AIT Road Alagbado is vital route that link so many roads up Ipaja Ayobo area, so we have no alternative than to do the right thing.
“My appeal to the people is to consider some necessary factor that can arise in the future before building their houses.
“I have personally met the landlords and told them the reason why we have to embark on the projects, because the road is long overdue for construction.
“They should bear it, there is no gain without pain, very soon we will all enjoy it together,’’ he said.
NAN reports that hundreds of shops and houses were demolished from Kola Bus Stop, AIT Road Alagbado, Ilapo Village, Anjorin community, Alaso Area, up to Command area along Ipaja Ayobo community.