The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development on Thursday gave all developers and occupants of unapproved structures at the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, a two-week ultimatum to regularise their buildings with the ministry.
The announcement was disclosed in a statement by The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, made this disclosure through a statement issued on Thursday.
This development, according to Olumide, follows recent enforcement actions at the Trade Fair Complex by the Ministry, where illegal structures were demolished and others were found to be not duly regularised.
All developers and occupants of structures within the Trade Fair Complex are hereby given a two-week ultimatum to approach the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to regularise the approval status of their buildings in line with extant regulations,” the statement read in part.
The commissioner explained that the Trade Fair Complex has become overcrowded with unsafe and haphazard structures, posing risks to public safety and emergency response, and underscored that this necessitated the recent demolitions.
Addressing claims of ethnic bias in the statement, the commissioner emphasized that similar enforcement actions have been carried out across Lagos markets and housing estates without regard to ethnicity, describing attempts to politicize the exercise as “disingenuous and divisive.”
The government cited examples, including: Pelewura Market, Lagos Island – predominantly occupied by Yoruba traders, Bombata Market, Lagos Island – predominantly occupied by Yoruba traders LSDPC Low-Cost Housing Estate, Ilasan, Eti-Osa – largely allotted to Yoruba occupantsOtumara, Ebute Metta – mainly occupied by people of Ilaje origin Alaba Rago – predominantly occupied by Hausa traders and Oluwole Market, Lagos Island – dominated by Yoruba traders
Olumide also noted in the statement that several Eastern states, including Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Imo, have undertaken demolition of illegal structures for flood control, urban renewal, or master plan enforcement without ethnic considerations, noting that Lagos’ actions are consistent with standard urban management practices.
