Evacuation of illegal businesses and shanties along the ongoing Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway project by the Federal Ministry of Works and the Lagos State Task Force team
According to the groups, over 40,000 households in Oworonshoki were affected by the demolition, after the Ministry of Environment had issued enforcement notice on July 18, 2023 to residents in Lekan Oyebade Street, Oworo and others, for disobeying the Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017.
While suspecting foul play in plans for future development of the area, it stated: “The Ministry of Transport is responsible for the development of the planned jetty until 2035. Why did the ministry not discuss with affected residents for their possible integration? They added: “Only two streets received such notice, while over 7,000 homes and structures spread across several streets and communities were demolished.”
The coalition further said the evictees are demanding an opportunity for dialogue with the government to address their grievances. “It is not houses that were demolished, but shanties. Criminal elements are many in Oworonshoki and when they collect people’s phones and other valuables from motorists on the bridge they run into the area.