Evelyn Usman
5 January 2009
It was a sorry sight at Oshodi, Lagos State, yesterday as traders wept openly while the State Task Force on the Environment demolished illegal structures in the area.
Some of the traders who were just returning from the Christmas and New Year celebrations, could not salvage anything from their shops as the task force men began the demolition exercise as early as 4:00 am yesterday.
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AT OSHODI DEMOLISHED: Photo of the illegal structures at Oshodi which were demolished and set ablaze yesterday by the Task Force of Lagos State Ministry of Environment. Photo: Diran Oshe
At about 1.30 pm, the fire from the demolished kiosks which were set ablaze was still raging, while some of the traders attempted to put out the fire and salvage their goods.
Some who got wind of the exercise, particularly those who sleep in the market managed to salvage their goods, but others were not so lucky.
Vanguard gathered that the traders had been ordered to vacate the section under the bridge and around the rail line before now, until the demolition exercise which took most of them by surprise yesterday.
One of the victims of the exercise who simply identified himself as Ifeanyi told Vanguard: "I was not in the market when they came. If I had been here, I would have been able to carry my goods to a safer place.
I lost nothing less than a hundred thousand naira. The most painful aspect of it is that I borrowed the money in November to make quick sales in December, with a promise to pay back in February."
Caterpillar destroying the shanties at the market
Chairman of the Task Force, Mr. Bayo Suleiman, a Superintendent of Police, who spoke with Vanguard said the exercise was meant to curb the crime rate in the area, particularly at night.
He said the demolition was concentrated on shanties and that it was not particular to Oshodi market alone, adding that other markets in the state were also affected.
"We started last Friday on Lagos Island by demolishing illegal shanties in Balogun, C.M.S and its environs. This is to ensure law and order in the state and in furtherance of the on-going beautification of the state. It is also to allow for a free flow of traffic," he said.
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