SOURCE: http://www.thekalabaris.com

The Lagos State Government has denied ordering the demolition of Berger retail market, saying that the allegation was fabricated.
Media Reports has it that the demolition exercise was carried out on Wednesday and most traders denied that they were served contravention notices.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Wasiu Anifowose, in a statement, described the media reports as mere fabrications, adding that he had not given any directive of such.

Anifowose refuted claims, saying the government gives all statutory notices to stakeholders for months before any demolition is carried out.

“As a State Government, we like to categorically deny involvement in the demolition exercise as alleged in some national dailies.

“While the reports in one breath claimed that the State Government was responsible for the demolition, it was also said that it was in compliance with a court judgment.

“The same report also alleged that an unnamed former Governor was behind the exercise, while still claiming that the land on which the retail market was located had been under global acquisition for years.

“Our story is that some of the market women came to my office yesterday saying that their market was being demolished, and after finding out from relevant agencies because I have not given any directive on demolition and having confirmed that our agencies were not involved, I told the market people that the demolition never came from us.

“We don’t demolish without organizing a stakeholder meeting with the concerned people and we also ensure that we give them enough notice,” Anifowose said.

He added that the last time the State Government carried out demolition exercise was in January when lay-by was being constructed.

SOURCE: http://www.thekalabaris.com/2017/04/21/we-are-not-responsible-for-berger-market-demolition-lagos-govt/