Popular singer Yemi Alade has spoken out against the Lagos State Government following the recent demolition of several houses in Maryland.
Expressing her dismay, the 'Johnny' crooner criticized the government's actions, stating that they are exacerbating the plight of citizens by rendering them homeless overnight.
Alade also lamented the adverse impact of the ongoing demolitions on the real estate sector, asserting that they are driving away potential investors and contributing to a negative perception of the state's development.
In a video message shared via her Instagram account, Yemi Alade said: "Lagos State, what's going on? Does it make sense that people will invest millions of naira and dollars into real estate; buy houses and lands and the state government will demolish the place and render people homeless overnight?
- Singer - Yemi Alade questions Lagos state government over demolition of houses across the state. pic.twitter.com/vrTmc8u32X-- Postsubman (@Postsubman) May 5, 2024
"This thing is happening repeatedly. Right now, Maryland, Mende area is on fire. People are sleeping in their houses, waking up the next day, homeless.
"You're ruining the real estate value of the state and country, making people lose trust not only just in the idea of Nigeria but lose hope entirely in the little coins they saved to make their lives worthwhile. How is this okay? Why why?"
Meanwhile. Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources for Lagos State, provided insight into the ongoing demolition of houses in Mende, Maryland, and other areas of the state.
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Wahab explained that the houses currently undergoing demolition were constructed on drainage channels.
On his X handle, Wahab wrote: "We also visited Mende Villa, Maryland where the Developer initially claimed there was a drainage approval on the property. The Directors who were in the know of what transpired at the time, were invited to speak on the issue but confirmed that the Developer was given temporary and conditional approval to leave a 20m setback from the edge of System 1 but he encroached on the setback thereby obstructing the flow of rainwater.
"However, by the magnanimity of Governor @jidesanwoolu, the ROW was approved to be reduced to 100 meters from 140 and spread on a 60/40 basis ( 60 Mende /40 Ogudu) instead of the initial 140 sitting on the Mende side. The instruction to immediately continue the removal of all structures on the alignment has been given to the enforcement team after the 1st notice to remove was served on them in 2021 and the last notice was served in November 2023 after the meeting with the stakeholders."
