The Oworo Youth Forum has appealed to international cooperation agencies to halt all ongoing climate action initiatives conducted in collaboration with the Lagos State government and particularly with the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that residents of Oworonshoki in the Kosofe local government area on Saturday held a protest to register their grievances and plight over Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's continued demolition of their houses, without providing them with alternative shelters.
The residents, according to videos seen by SaharaReporters, carried various placards as they marched along the streets with the cards bearing various inscriptions, “Let us breathe, stop the demolition” “Our future is being truncated, stop the demolition” “No to Land grabbing” and “Don’t get elected to get us evicted.”
SaharaReporters had reported how residents of Oworonshoki and Idi Araba communities in the Kosofe and Mushin local government areas of the state were thrown into lamentation in July as Governor Sanwo-Olu's administration embarked on the demolition.
The Oworo Youths Forum in a release on Saturday by Ogunlami Opeyemi said the call on international agencies to suspend their cooperation with the state government “stems from the Ministry's failure to fulfil its fundamental obligation of safeguarding the environment, biodiversity, and the inhabitants of Lagos.”
The forum said, “Instead, recent actions undertaken by the Ministry have resulted in distressing human and environmental consequences. In July 2023, the Lagos State Ministry of Environment circulated notifications within the Oworonshoki and Mosofe Idi Araba communities, unjustly accusing residents of encroaching upon wetlands, engaging in illegal wetland conversion, and residing within wetland areas.
“However, evidence presented in the attached "Fact Sheet" clearly demonstrates that these affected communities are situated approximately 2km away from any wetland region. Shockingly, the newly unveiled Kosofe Masterplan by the Lagos State Government outlines a colossal 70-hectare sand-filling project for a jetty, which could gravely impact the last remaining wetland adjacent to the northern boundary of Oworonshoki.
“Moreover, the Ministry alleges that residences in these communities lack proper sanitation facilities. Contrary to this claim, families in the Precious Seed community have adopted simple, flexible, and cost-effective "Mobile Dry Diversion Toilets," readily accessible to their neighbours in times of need. Numerous other households possess internal toilet facilities. It
is important to highlight that the very Ministry raising concerns about the absence of toilets holds responsibility for water and sanitation provision. Regrettably, such essential services have not reached our communities, compelling us to take the initiative through endeavours like the recently established "Water Trust Fund." This constitutes yet another severe deviation from the Ministry's core mandate.
“In a distressing turn of events, the "Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit" affiliated with the Ministry launched an unanticipated assault on our localities from July 26 to 31. During this operation, numerous homes and structures, particularly along the waterfront, were demolished. Bulldozers razed brick and wood residences, while fires engulfed many properties. This thoughtless action not only rendered thousands homeless and destitute but also continued to contaminate the air, soil, and water, including the Lagoon water and adjoining wetlands. It is evident that the Lagos State Government has not imbibed the lessons from previous climate resilience projects implemented in collaboration with international agencies.
“Strikingly, the Ministry no longer cites environmental justifications for these demolitions. Instead, during a hearing at the Lagos State House of Assembly on August 22, it revealed that its actions were prompted by directives from a traditional ruler, who had previously served as a special assistant to the Governor. However, it is crucial to clarify that traditional rulers lack the authority to intervene in governmental matters in Nigeria or to direct any ministry or agency for personal gain.
“This ruler urged the Ministry to deploy its "Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit" to clear land in Oworonshoki, alleging the presence of criminal activities. Matters of criminal nature should be reported to the police for investigation, yet the local police station remained uninformed. Notably, the community boasts its own security outfit, maintained through a monthly contribution of N1000 from each resident, ensuring a peaceful environment. Such actions hint at the Ministry's possible unconstitutional role akin to state police, a role that stands in direct contradiction to the very purpose of climate resilience activities funded by esteemed international offices.
“Apart from our plea to suspend collaboration with the Ministry, we earnestly implore cooperation agencies to support our demands directed towards the Lagos State House of Assembly and Governor Sanwo-Olu: - Issue necessary titles (CofO) to all landlords impacted by the demolitions, waiving all associated fees, irrespective of their capacity to produce requisite documentation, many of which were destroyed during the demolition process.
“Provide unconditional compensation to every affected resident, whether landlord or tenant, for the loss of property and income endured since the demolition operations.
“Assist impacted residents in reconstructing their homes through a participatory approach, establishing appropriate infrastructure, and ensuring access to clean water and sanitation. Institute measures to dismiss Ministry personnel who contravened democratic principles by unlawfully endorsing land appropriation by individuals. Implement internal protocols to prevent the recurrence of such inhumane incidents.
“The Oworo Youth Forum remains committed to advocating for the protection of our environment, the rights of our communities, and the welfare of our residents. We urge international cooperation agencies to stand with us in holding accountable those responsible for these egregious actions and to safeguard the principles of environmental preservation and climate resilience.”