Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has accused some local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) of exploiting the demolition exercise on going in the Makoko area of the state for financial gain.
He made this allegation while addressing journalists in the state.
According to him, the state government has been monitoring the activities of such organisations and would present evidence to support its claims.
“We are aware that there are some local and international NGOs that want to profit from this. We’re studying, and we’re going to show you evidence,” Sanwo-Olu said.
According to him, the groups had secured substantial funding from international donors under the guise of supporting affected communities, without delivering on their commitments.
“They’ve made so much money from international people. And they’ve asked for so many grants and wealth into those places, and it’s just for them to cover their own lies and the fact that they’ve not done what they said they were going to be doing,” the governor stated.
Defending the demolition moves, the Governor said it became imperative particularly due to the presence of illegal structures erected under high-tension power lines.
“Of what interest will it be for the government to want to unduly demolish anybody’s property if it is not for the overall safety of the citizens that we’re talking about?” he asked.
Sanwo-Olu said many residents had constructed shanties directly beneath high-tension cables, posing serious risks.
“A lot of these people have built the shanties right under the high-tension wires. And so we cannot be a lawless state of people,” he said.
He warned that inaction could result in disaster, adding, “We cannot fold our arms and let calamity or disaster happen.”
Makoko community in Yaba consists of both land-based and waterfront settlements, with hundreds of shanties built along the Lagos Lagoon.
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