Trade Fair Demolitions: Lagos Govt Tackles Obi

The Lagos State Government has taken on former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, over his comments on the recent Trade Fair demolitions.

This refers to the “test of impunity, justice and compassion” comments of Obi over the destruction of properties at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex.

Recall that the businessman-cum politician had visited the demolished ASPAMDA Market plazas on Tuesday, September 30, with lawmakers and Labour Party officials, stating that the traders had obtained requisite approvals for the destroyed structures.

In a reaction, however, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, stated that Obi’s remarks were misleading.

He added:  “Ex-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has visited the Trade Fair Complex, where the Lagos State Government enforced its Physical Planning Laws.

“He praised the traders for what he called their “restraint”, adding that the buildings that were knocked down had approvals.

“He launched into emotional theatrics, describing the incident as “a test of impunity, justice and compassion” – all in an effort to mislead the public by misinformation and disinformation.

“This is unfair.

“Here are the facts of the matter: The owners of the building have no approval. They got ample time to regularise their papers when the state government declared last year a general amnesty, which was extended several times,” the statement read in part.

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According to the commissioner, aside that the the traders were given several opportunities to regularise their papers, they still failed to take advantage of a government-declared amnesty extension.

He added that during the process of the trade fair demolitions, that officials of the Ministry of Physical Planning were obstructed and attacked during enforcement visits warranting their being rescued by police.

Omotoso stated that the Federal Government’s Trade Fair Complex Management Board lacked the authority to approve construction within the facility.

Whereas it could allocate spaces and oversee commercial activities, all physical developments were required to obtain planning permits from the Lagos State Government.