₦airaland Forum

naptu2: Also note that, under federal regulations, it is illegal to build structures under high tension cables.

[size=14pt]Fashola explains current government intervention in Makoko[/size]

Tuesday, 24 July 2012 09:18 Agency Reports

Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, on Monday explained why his administration has to intervene in the Makoko fishing community in Lagos Mainland, saying it had become necessary to halt the continuous expansion of the community into the lagoon with its negative impact on the environment.

Addressing scores of Makoko residents who came to the Lagos House, Ikeja to appeal for a reconsideration of the decision to demolish parts of the fishing community, Governor Fashola explained that while the state government was finding a solution for residents within the recognised boundaries, it would not allow further expansion of the community.

Fashola said sequel to several meetings with leaders of the community and an agreed boundary set, the state government had been working in the area to find solution to the difficulties which the indigenous residents encounter by way of providing basic infrastructure and amenities to uplift the standard of life of the people who, according to him, have been there for a long time.

Continuing, the governor explained that rather than maintain the established boundary, what had happened over the years was a rash of illegal shanties which expanded towards the Third Mainland Bridge and underneath the high tension electricity cables across the area.

Expressing the readiness of his administration to meet with genuine representatives of the community, Fashola advised them to be wary of people who are profiting from their difficult situation. He also advised the community to resist being used by people who want to take advantage of them, adding that some people were already collecting grants from the outside world under the guise of helping them.

The governor noted that piling saw dust on the lagoon, discharging wastes in it and blocking the discharge points for storm water had contributed to the flooding in places like Bariga, Shomolu, Ebute-Metta, Ogudu, Owode, Ajegunle and Ikorodu, among others.
“The truth must be told; some people are benefiting from your difficulty and that is the truth. They are taking advantage of you in the guise of being your friends.

They are taking all sorts of grants purporting to help you but it never gets to you. But as your government, we understand the challenges you face there and we are working to solve them”, the governor said.

According to the governor, who said the primary concern of his administration is to uplift the standard of living of the indigenous members of the community which has existed for over 60 years. “Now, as we are finding solution to the boundaries we recognise, we will not allow further expansion”.

“We owe you a duty, but we also owe the greater part of Lagos a duty. That lagoon is the only lagoon where we drain water during rainy season from Akoka, Bariga, Shomolu, Oworonsoki and from Macgregor Canal. The lagoon is shrinking because they are expanding and building into it; it has to stop”, the governor said.

Fashola said the way forward was for the leaders of the community to team up and meet the state government to find a lasting solution to the problem, adding that he is currently working with people within and outside the country to find a way to expose the community as part of the culture of Lagos where the indigenous people could live in a clean environment with clean drinking water and other basic amenities while they also engage in their fishing occupation.

He said the doors of the government were open at all times and that he would welcome such a team as appointed by the community to find lasting solution to the problem, adding that the community’s peaceful approach would lead to much more progress.

Governor Fashola explained that the state government has no problem with those living within the recognised boundaries, adding, “We are working to provide water, schools, libraries and so on for you. But those who have just come must leave. That is the reality”.

naptu2: Once again, it's not about rich vs poor. My best friend owns a salon on Victoria Island. She is certainly not poor. One day government officials came and gave her a notice that she must knock down her wall and part of her building. Why? Because the law says that you cannot build within a certain distance from the canal. Government officials later came to knock down her wall and part of her building.

There's a saying "you can't use your reggae to disturb my blues". You can't say that, because you want to build a home for yourself, you should block the storm drains and expose me to flooding. The government will not allow you to do that.

So, what impact does Makoko have on flooding in Onike, Akoka, Iwaya, Somolu, etc?

Also note that it's not the entire Makoko that's being demolished (Makoko has existed for a long time). What's being demolished is the Makoko Extension, which is a more recent development.

Tabawababy: I dont know why the people in the nairaland dont want to show me how I can do new posting. And I have been bagging you people since...mtcheeewww

tomber: They are using us to gather opinions abi.
APC has to be wise. You can never neglet sentiments as this is nigeria. all Politicians(includin cpc buhari) use sentiment and it is allowed. It only worse in nija because of our division and the fact tha we are too emotional rather than intelectual wen it comes to national issues. PDP knws how to play this kind of game. so to win thm u must be wiser.
Already apc has some funny coloration and it will b easy for pdp to use that. tinunbu& fash are muslims, cpc is already view as an islamic party in d south. now bringin buhari out as standard bearer will just spoilt d whole thin. They shud b tryin to cover that loop hole now.
An average christian will not vote for buhari. call it sentiment or not.
Soon u will see papers carryin adverts like "will u forgive those who kill ur children?" with d drawin of a corper. without anybdies name on it. thaz sentiment of cos. but it works. You cant just throw sentiments away. apc must knw that.The easiest way to beat jonathn is to pick a s.southerner or a s.western muslim. anyth can still happen sha

Yorubaman40: If it is as simple as that why then are Buharis sympathizers(Boko Haram) bombing everyone simply because nigerians democratically rejected him.Why is the word shedding - blood never far from buharis lips."Aje ke lana, Omo ku loni.who does not know that d witch killed d child."

[size=14pt]Fashola explains current government intervention in Makoko[/size]

Tuesday, 24 July 2012 09:18 Agency Reports

Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, on Monday explained why his administration has to intervene in the Makoko fishing community in Lagos Mainland, saying it had become necessary to halt the continuous expansion of the community into the lagoon with its negative impact on the environment.

Addressing scores of Makoko residents who came to the Lagos House, Ikeja to appeal for a reconsideration of the decision to demolish parts of the fishing community, Governor Fashola explained that while the state government was finding a solution for residents within the recognised boundaries, it would not allow further expansion of the community.

Fashola said sequel to several meetings with leaders of the community and an agreed boundary set, the state government had been working in the area to find solution to the difficulties which the indigenous residents encounter by way of providing basic infrastructure and amenities to uplift the standard of life of the people who, according to him, have been there for a long time.

Continuing, the governor explained that rather than maintain the established boundary, what had happened over the years was a rash of illegal shanties which expanded towards the Third Mainland Bridge and underneath the high tension electricity cables across the area.

Expressing the readiness of his administration to meet with genuine representatives of the community, Fashola advised them to be wary of people who are profiting from their difficult situation. He also advised the community to resist being used by people who want to take advantage of them, adding that some people were already collecting grants from the outside world under the guise of helping them.

The governor noted that piling saw dust on the lagoon, discharging wastes in it and blocking the discharge points for storm water had contributed to the flooding in places like Bariga, Shomolu, Ebute-Metta, Ogudu, Owode, Ajegunle and Ikorodu, among others.
“The truth must be told; some people are benefiting from your difficulty and that is the truth. They are taking advantage of you in the guise of being your friends.

They are taking all sorts of grants purporting to help you but it never gets to you. But as your government, we understand the challenges you face there and we are working to solve them”, the governor said.

According to the governor, who said the primary concern of his administration is to uplift the standard of living of the indigenous members of the community which has existed for over 60 years. “Now, as we are finding solution to the boundaries we recognise, we will not allow further expansion”.

“We owe you a duty, but we also owe the greater part of Lagos a duty. That lagoon is the only lagoon where we drain water during rainy season from Akoka, Bariga, Shomolu, Oworonsoki and from Macgregor Canal. The lagoon is shrinking because they are expanding and building into it; it has to stop”, the governor said.

Fashola said the way forward was for the leaders of the community to team up and meet the state government to find a lasting solution to the problem, adding that he is currently working with people within and outside the country to find a way to expose the community as part of the culture of Lagos where the indigenous people could live in a clean environment with clean drinking water and other basic amenities while they also engage in their fishing occupation.

He said the doors of the government were open at all times and that he would welcome such a team as appointed by the community to find lasting solution to the problem, adding that the community’s peaceful approach would lead to much more progress.

Governor Fashola explained that the state government has no problem with those living within the recognised boundaries, adding, “We are working to provide water, schools, libraries and so on for you. But those who have just come must leave. That is the reality”.

obailala: If they say the floating school shouldn't be there, instead of demolition, can't this floating school simply be relocated?
#just.asking

fuckluv: The only sensible response ve seen so far. Keep it up

Afam4eva: Ayo Ositelu is dead? He was the compere when the williams sisters played each other just a few months ago lagos.

wesley80: Oh come on! What rules are we talking about in a city with one of the most expensive real estate in the world where thousands still have no choice but to live on shacks built on lagoons and drinking from same water they poo on? What rule permits the existence of that kind of inequality?
Someone steps in the gap trying to do what the govt. ought to be doing and its termed illegal simply because Fashola is trying to build a city that PRETENDS not to have a poor populace and you think you can justify it? Come on now!

wesley80: But should'nt a govt. bogged down with shoccking a level of inequity and poverty be more disposed to helping the poorest people in the land? Why isnt the govt trying to dialogue with this NGO to provide some sort of alternative and acceptable site for such a laudable idea from a foreign funded NGO? Why are they more eager to destroy than see poor children educated?

nenergy: If its an illegal building, for the sake of the children's future tell them (the owners) how to legalise it!

yuzedo: This makes me wonder on Reuben Abati.. I mean when he eventually dies, will he be accorded as much love and respect by society? After being tainted by his record in government, won't those "sad" to see him go be only the brigandic, kleptomatic fatcats he had to cover for?

Abati fücked up when he sold his soul and ditched the masses, I'm sorry to say. A Writer should ever be above board. Never selling out even till his last minute, like Gani. He would perhaps have been the greatest legend to come out of Print Media.. But.. But this blemish. This Federal stain on his record...... Sigh!

Posterity will definitely judge Reuben quite harshly!

#RandomMusings