The South-West Professional Forum has said that a significant number of illegal structures demolished in Lagos are reportedly owned by individuals of Yoruba descent.
The group made its position known in a statement by its Assistant General Secretary, Lateef Kayode, made available to journalists in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State on Friday.
It was reacting to insinuations that the demolition was targeted at a specific group.
The professional group claimed it is self-serving for a few individuals to try to ethnicise the environmental issue.
SOWPROF said it started the compilation of the names of the landlords five months ago and that the names of owners of the demolished buildings are available for the public, adding that the demolition of illegal buildings is a nationwide issue.
“We have done diligent checks. We have a compilation of all the victims of the demolition in Lagos. We have done extensive compilation of the victims and the issues involved. Some 80 per cent of the victims of the demolished buildings are from the South-West region,” the statement read.
The group expressed regret about the introduction of ethnic politics into the Lagos State Government’s efforts to address environmental dangers that have resulted in flooding, fatalities, and even pose a threat to the state’s future.
It consequently pleaded with the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, not to be discouraged by local criticisms that turn an environmental issue into an ethnic political one.
“It takes place in all the South-East, North-West, North-East and South-South. It has happened in Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu, Onitsha, Owerri, Aba, Kaduna, Ilorin, Makurdi and in many cities across the country.
“It is unfortunate that some people are exploring the fragile political situation in the country to cause disaffection using the demolition of illegal buildings in Lagos State as a pun in the game,” the statement read.
SOWPROF said property owners should ensure they do not invest in land and property that infringe on existing environmental laws.
In this article