Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has restated his administration’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and the welfare of residents affected by the ongoing demolition of structurally unsafe buildings across the state.
Speaking during the second phase of compensation for affected members of the Oworonshoki community, the General Manager of the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA), Oladimeji Animashaun, who represented the governor, said the state would ensure every displaced resident is resettled and fairly compensated.
Animashaun noted that the government’s ongoing urban renewal efforts would not deny any resident the right to own property in Lagos, emphasising that demolitions were limited to structures deemed hazardous to the environment.
“The very first time we compensated people, 79 affected persons collected their cheques. Today, another 100 people are receiving theirs. Governor Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu promised that those affected would be compensated. That is promise made, promise fulfilled,” he said.
He added that the exercise would continue in batches until all eligible residents receive their payments.
Nwaoha Rosemary, who received ₦1 million, described the gesture as a timely relief. Another resident, Patrick Arinze, who was paid ₦3 million, praised the government’s approach, saying complaints had been overtaken by the reality of support received. “If we had not received anything, what would we have done?” he asked.
Compensation amounts ranged from ₦1 million to ₦5 million, depending on the value and nature of the demolished structures.
The development follows recent criticism over alleged disregard for a court order restraining further demolitions in Oworonshoki. The Lagos State Government had denied the allegation, insisting it had not been formally served.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), described the claims as “false and unfair,” stressing that no agency received any court order ahead of the latest phase of the operation.
“As of today, I am aware of the court order they are referring to. However, before the demolition exercise they are complaining about, that order was not served on any government agency,” he said. Pedro added that the order was endorsed on Friday, October 24, the same day the demolitions occurred, and could not have been served the following day as government offices were closed.
He maintained that agencies cannot act on “verbal notice” and argued that no valid charge of contempt could arise without proper service of court documents.
Pedro also criticised what he described as the misuse of judicial processes to obstruct public interest projects, noting that the government had earlier paused the demolition for nearly a month on the directive of Governor Sanwo-Olu to give residents time to relocate.
