Tears, Anger trail LASG's New Demolition, Traders Count Losses

By NAN

Tears and Anger have engulfed the Costain and Apapa Road areas in Ebute-Metta as the Lagos State official carried out a demolition exercise that displaced traders and disrupted commercial and vehicular activities.

The operation, led by the Special Adviser to the Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa in Lagos on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the demolition was carried out with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), and the Nigeria Police Force.

Beginning in the early hours of the morning, the exercise targeted makeshift stalls, kiosks, and temporary market structures. 

Many traders scrambled to salvage their goods as officials of the state flattened rows of shops and sheds.

Speaking to newsmen, Giwa said the operation aimed to clear illegal structures and curb criminal activities in the area.

The Sanwo-Olu's aide described the stretch as a monumental affront to public decency, environmental order, and the collective security of the people of the state.

He added that the exercise also covered unauthorized garages and abandoned trucks under the Ijora Bridge, which he said posed environmental and safety risks.

However, several affected traders decried the exercise, saying it has left many small business owners homeless and penniless.

A trader in Apapa road, Kudirat Ojomo described the demolition as vindictive adding that she had been trading at Costain for over 10 years. 

Ojomo said: "This is where I feed my children from and take care of our needs. We have been peaceful and law-abiding until Sola Giwa invaded Costain truck park and demolished stalls.

"Following the public outcry by affected traders, he visited his anger on us to justify his on the illegal demolition on the Oct. 23.

"On his second return one week after, our stalls were affected. They didn’t give us enough notice. Now I have nowhere to go. Where do we go from here?

"We have been displaced from Otumara and at Costain here, where I am managing to keep ends meet, as S.A just woke up one day and decided to visit his anger on us.”

Another trader, Mr Ezekiel Andrew questioned the insistence of the demolition team on Apapa road and not areas like Oyingbo,  Ojuelegba, Idumota and Yaba where traders are more exposed to danger than those at Costain.

According to him, describing this place a criminal den is unfair. Many of us live in shanties not by choice but because the government has failed us. If we had better opportunities, we wouldn’t be here.

Andrew said: "It was a known fact that traders trading on Bridges at Idumota, Oyingbo, Ojuelegba and Yaba were exposed to dangers but Sola Giwa and his team chose to terrorise them at Costain that was peaceful. 

"Why is he bent on destroying our lives, stalls and means of livelihood? This is the second time this would be happening in the month of October.

"We are helpless! We are forced to live in shanties and trade in stalls by the side of the road. This is because the government has failed us. If the economy is good and thriving, do you think we would choose to be on the road?

"Now we have accepted our fate and decided to push on and here comes an agent of the state government calling for our heads. 

"This government is insensitive to our plights. They don’t care about the less privileged. Lagos cannot be turned into a mega city at the expense of the traders and the everyday people whose wellbeing depends on their daily hustle.”

Andrew appealed to Sanwo-Olu to provide alternative spaces and shelters for displaced traders and also investigate the involvement of Sola Giwa in the entire demolition saga.

A commercial driver who simply identified as Maruf also complained of gridlock during the operation. 

He complained about the presence of enforcement vehicles which according to him, caused heavy traffic and left passengers stranded.

“We couldn’t ply Costain while the demolition was on. Many passengers were stuck because we feared arrest or vehicle impoundment,” he said.

Despite the backlash, the special adviser defended the demolition, insisting it was necessary to restore order and ensure free movement.

“These structures were illegal and posed serious environmental and safety risks. We understand the inconvenience, but the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term discomfort,” he stated.

(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)