Lagos shop owner demands compensation 3 years after demolition

Some traders and shop owners whose shops were demolished to make way for the expansion of Ikotun Roundabout in Alimosho Local Government Area of ​​Lagos State are crying out for help.

PUNCH Metro has learned that demolition took place in 2020 and affected more than 90 of his stores in the complex.

State government officials are said to have contacted shop owners before the demolition and promised compensation after the road was built.

Affected shop owners who spoke to our correspondent on Saturday said the state government was yet to fulfill its promises.

Mr. Innocent Umeze, a trader who owned two stores in the demolished building, said each store was worth three million naira to him.

He said: “The state government, through the Ministry of Transport and Urban Planning, issued a notice before the demolition. They approached us along with the developer who had built the store and said they wanted to widen the street. , who assured us that we would receive adequate compensation after the exercise.The value of our stores before they were demolished was three million naira each.Nothing has been done since then till date. During the #EndSARS protests later this year, several shops in the area were destroyed and the state government quickly renovated them, but we have not been promised compensation for the destruction of our own shops. I haven’t received it yet. ”

Another shop owner, Mr Kolawole Ademola, said these businesses have become a source of livelihood for some owners who are currently struggling to make ends meet after the demolition.

“We were invited to the Alausa Secretariat before the demolition and the state government promised us heaven and earth.” They also came here to evaluate the business. I did. After the demolition, we wrote several letters asking them to fulfill their promise, but we received no response. I was asked for assignment documents and account numbers, but I never received any.
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During a visit to the site on Saturday, our correspondent found the demolished building abandoned.

The store, which has not yet been renovated, is currently occupied by a small trader. Commenting on the development, Uche Stephen, who owns three of his stores in the
complex, said: “The site of the demolished complex was handed over to traders who conduct market sales there in the evenings while collecting dues every week.”

Ikotun Council Chairman/Igando, Lasisi Akinsanya pondering the issue