The Basis for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Improvement (FENRAD) has condemned the demolition of outlets and buildings on the Commerce Honest Complicated in Lagos, describing the motion as illegal and a violation of property and human rights.
In two statements issued by its Govt Director, Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, over the weekend, the organisation additionally decried rising unemployment, inflation, insecurity and different challenges going through the nation because it marks its sixty fifth independence anniversary. It known as on the Federal Authorities to urgently deal with these points.
FENRAD questioned the legality of the demolition, insisting that it violated the Land Use Act, bodily planning laws and dealer rights, and posed a severe risk to Igbo merchants who kind nearly all of the enterprise group available in the market. The group demanded an investigation into the incident and urged the Nationwide Meeting, civil society organisations and people to defend the structure.
“FENRAD strongly condemns the latest demolition of outlets and buildings on the Commerce Honest Complicated in Lagos, describing the motion as illegal, economically oppressive, and a severe risk to Igbo merchants who kind nearly all of the enterprise group in that market,” the assertion learn.
The organisation expressed concern that the demolition, allegedly carried out with out due course of, contravened key provisions of the 1978 Land Use Act, together with the requirement for lawful revocation of occupancy rights, prior discover and ample compensation for affected property house owners and occupiers. It alleged that there was no correct communication, clear course of, public listening to or formal discover earlier than the train.
Nwafor stated the Lagos State City and Regional Planning and Improvement Regulation was ignored, with no environmental impression consultations held with stakeholders previous to the demolition. “These procedures had been solely circumvented on this incident, amounting to a gross abuse of regulatory authority,” he stated.
He additional alleged that “this demolition disproportionately impacts merchants of southeastern Nigerian origin, a lot of whom have constructed reputable companies over a long time on the Commerce Honest Complicated. The motion not solely undermines the appropriate to property, truthful listening to, and financial participation but additionally sends a harmful sign of ethno-economic focusing on, which FENRAD warns may erode nationwide cohesion and peace.”
FENRAD demanded an instantaneous and unbiased investigation into the legality of the demolition, full compensation and restitution to affected merchants as supplied by legislation, a moratorium on additional demolitions pending the investigation, and public disclosure of any redevelopment plans, together with environmental and social impression assessments. It additionally known as for institutional accountability for officers and companies concerned within the train.
“Whereas FENRAD acknowledges previous efforts by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to enhance city infrastructure and promote inclusivity in Lagos, we strongly urge the Governor to intervene, droop all demolition actions on the Commerce Honest Complicated, and guarantee justice and compensation for the affected communities,” the group stated. “This demolition not solely violates authorized norms; it destroys lives, households, and inter-ethnic belief.”
The organisation additionally highlighted worsening financial hardship, noting that “the price of dwelling is insufferable. Inflation is formally at 23.7 per cent (April 2025), however the value of meals, transport, hire, and vitality has gone past what bizarre residents can afford. The elimination of the gas subsidy, whereas fiscally obligatory, was carried out with out ample cushioning for the poor. Meals inflation is pushed not solely by macroeconomic insurance policies however by insecurity, logistics breakdowns, and energy provide failures.”
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