Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has described the ongoing demolition of buildings at the Lagos Trade Fair Complex as “heartbreaking.”
Kalu spoke on Friday during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Abia State for the commissioning of projects executed by Governor Alex Otti’s administration. The president was represented at the event by the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
“Mr President, the demolition of the houses and offices of our brothers in Lagos makes our hearts bleed,” Kalu said.
He appealed to President Tinubu to intervene and urge the Lagos State Government to give affected property owners more time to regularise their documents instead of losing their investments.
“For those who do not yet have the proper documentation, my plea to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is to be accommodating and allow them to sort out their papers. It bleeds our hearts that, in these difficult times, people are losing their homes and businesses. But I trust that Mr President, who cares for the Igbos, will listen to their yearnings,” Kalu added.
The Deputy Speaker also urged the Federal Government to prioritise the development of ports in the South East to boost trade and support the region’s economy.
His comments come in response to the demolition of illegal and unsafe structures at the Trade Fair Complex, which began on September 25. The exercise was carried out by the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning in collaboration with the Building Control Agency, Urban Renewal Agency, and the Physical Planning Permit Authority.
