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Residents of Makoko area, whose community is currently undergoing bulldozing, because of the Lagos State ongoing shanties clearing exercise, took their plights to the office of the Lagos State governor yesterday. The peaceful protest, took off at the Alausa Shoprite bus stop with about 2,000 protesters. At the governor’s office, Yussuf Jejelaiye, Baale (Head) of Makoko community, highlighted how the community has been marginalized by different administrations of the state. “We have no government school, no hospital yet we perform our civil right each time there is election,” he said. He reiterated that the community has being existing before the coming of the Europeans, and an evacuation action now is like a death sentence. Responding to Mr. Yussuf Jejelaiyek’s address, Governor Raji Fashola, explained that the exercise is not an evacuation
exercise rather, it is to check mate the continuous encroachment of the sea by the activities of the community. “Where we have sawdust today is not the same place ten years ago. The community, through their activities, is encroaching on drainage channels, the lagoon and the nearby economic interest of the state. You all are witness to the continuous flood that the state has been subjected to.” Governor Babatunde noted that some members of the Makoko communities, have fallen victim of fraudsters, who took their money with the promise that their area will not be touched. In his address, Prince Adesegun Oniru said the exercise was embarked upon with the best interest of the Makoko community at heart. “There is a power-line directly above the community, in case of any accident, the whole community will go up in flame so, this exercise is a check on a disaster that may happen anytime.” When the meeting was over, protesters who came to the governor’s office with venom, seemed to have lost their voices. One begins to wonder where they kept their energy, even when the governor made it clear that demolition will continue. I spoke with some protesters, one of the residents, Rev. Samuel Adewale. “we are disappointed even though we’ve envisaged this yet we are disappointed.” Don: so, what is the next line of action? Rev. Adewale: Court of course, we are heading to court for an injunction on this criminal act. In a swift reaction to the governor’s response, the executive director of SERAC, expressed his disappointment and the resolution of the governor, to continue the demolition despite letters for dialogue and amicable solution to the matter. “Aside from a 72-hour notice given to the community, police and other security agents, without justification shot and killed a citizen, Timothy Azinkpono. “In the notice to quit, Lagos State government accused the residents of developing shanties on the waterfront and impending economic and gainful utilization of the waterfront. “This community is well documented and globally recognized as an ancestral fishing settlement that has flourished since 1860s, where else will they lay claim to if the government evacuate them?” Mr. Felix accused the government of dancing to the tune of World bank with a warning, “Makoko and Iwaya are two of nine communities targeted for upgrading under the $200million World Bank funded Lagos Metropolitan Development and Governance Project (LMDGP). “Notwithstanding it’s contractual commitments under the LMDGP and it’s legal obligations to respect the rights of all the citizen under the constitution and international law, the state government has continues to treat residents of impoverished communities as expandable people.” Mr. Felix who is also a member of LMDGP, expressed his disappointment at the betrayal of the lofty goals for which the project was designed. At the press briefing, said he will not continue with the committee. As at today, Monday, the total number of death recorded due to the exercise stood at five. The latest being three children, who were drown in the early hours of Monday, when the boat in which they slept