The Senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh, has described the demolition of some buildings at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos as an act of impunity.
He stated that the action of the Lagos State government was illegal and a clear breach of jurisdiction.
Speaking on Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s breakfast programme, The Morning Brief, Senator Umeh added that the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning lacked the legal powers to approve the demolition exercise.
“What the Commissioner for Physical Planning in Lagos State did was an affront and a breach of the law.
“The issue is about dealing with human beings with consideration of the law. The country is governed by the constitution and a set of laws.
“I am disappointed to hear that the Commissioner for Physical Planning in Lagos State came to justify his illegal action,” Umeh said.
The former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) argued that the Trade Fair Complex remains a federal establishment under the management of the Federal Government, and not under the control of the state government.
“The Trade Fair Complex is the subject matter where the Lagos State Government moved in with heavy machines to destroy people’s investments and buildings without justification.
“Federal lands are under the control of federal agencies, not the state government. There are federal lands and there are state lands. If you go to Lagos, any property belonging to the Federal Government is recorded in the Federal Land Registry in Ikoyi, not in the Land Registry in Alausa,” the Senator said.
He added that the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning contravened the law by his action.
According to him, what the state government did was an intrusion as the Trade Fair Management Board has been solely responsible for the administration of the complex, including approvals for developments, property rates, and ground rent collection.
“What the Commissioner for Physical Planning in Lagos State did was an affront and a breach of the law.
“The Lagos State Government has never gone there to carry out any of those functions until about two weeks ago when they moved in to bring down the buildings on September 25,” he noted.
He alleged that the traders and shop owners in the complex were not given adequate notice before he buildings were demolished.
Senator Umeh further dismissed reports that the affected buildings were constructed on canals and drainages without approval, insisting that all affected buildings were approved by the Trade Fair Management Board.”
“They were also shocked that the Lagos State Government could move into that place without notice. Even the traders were not written or questioned over anything,” he said.
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