Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has restated his administration’s dedication to fairness, transparency, and the overall welfare of residents as the state continues the demolition of buildings deemed unsafe and structurally hazardous.
The renewed assurance comes in the wake of the demolition exercise carried out in parts of Oworonshoki on September 6, an action that triggered protests and briefly led to the blockage of the Third Mainland Bridge by aggrieved residents.
Speaking during the second phase of compensation for affected Oworonshoki residents, Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the government would not abandon anyone displaced by the ongoing urban renewal efforts. The event marked another round of payments to verified beneficiaries whose properties were removed for safety reasons.
In a statement released on Friday, the General Manager of the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA), Mr. Oladimeji Animashaun, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to ensuring that every eligible resident is properly resettled. He stressed that no Lagos resident would be denied their legitimate right to property ownership, adding that due process would guide every step taken by the government.
Animashaun explained that the compensation exercise was deliberately structured in phases to allow for proper verification and smooth disbursement. According to him, seventy-nine affected residents received financial compensation during the first phase, while another one hundred beneficiaries were paid on Thursday as part of the second phase.
Several beneficiaries at the event expressed their appreciation to the state government for keeping its promise.
Mrs. Rosemary Nwaoha, who received ₦1 million, described the support as timely, noting that the funds would greatly assist her family’s efforts to rebuild their lives.
Similarly, Mr. Patrick Arinze, who was paid ₦3 million, commended the government for showing responsiveness and empathy despite the initial tension and complaints from affected communities.
The compensation amounts ranged from ₦1 million to ₦5 million, depending on the assessed value of each demolished property.
With the ongoing efforts, the Lagos State government maintains that its primary goal is to safeguard lives, enforce building regulations, and ensure that all residents live in safer and more sustainable environments.