Ogun residents protest govt plan to demolish 300 houses as others kick against coronation of 75 chiefs

Aggrieved residents of Lotto area in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, have protested against the Federal Government’s plan to demolish over 300 houses.

Speaking with reporters amid street protests on Tuesday, the leader of the community, Kehinde Isijola said it was discovered that the government was bringing the construction of an interchange on Lagos-Ibadan express way that would consume the community.

He also added that the demolition was done without a prior engagement and negotiations between the community and the engineers.

“As I speak to you, they have marked up to 300 houses, but the message we are passing to them is that they have to engage us in whatever they plan to do, especially when it concerns the community” he said.

Read also: KATSINA: Residents protest as bandits kill eighteen in Batsari LG

Another resident, Aderenle Pinnick, who expressed grievances added that ample efforts had been carried out by landlords and other residents to bringing development to the community.

However, in reaction to the protests, the Federal Controller of Works for Lagos, Ademola Kuti said that the affected owners would be compensated in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, traditionalists, chiefs and residents of some communities in the State have also reacted to the coronation of 75 village chiefs by governor Ibikunle Amosun.

The coronation which was done on Monday received backlashes from some traditionalists while speaking with news men on Tuesday.

One of the traditionalists, Chief Adisa Soyoye condemned Amosun’s move adding that the newly elected chief of Kajola community Akanji Sowonoye was an impostor who would not be recognised by the people.

Several residents who trooped to the state government secretariat in Oke-Mosan on Tuesday, spoke with news men revealing that some of the appointed chiefs were not indigenes of the communities they were heading.

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