A socio-cultural group, the Lagos Patriots has debunked allegations that land of demolished buildings at Alaba International was being handed over to a Chinese company.
The group described the allegation as not only malicious but also meant to fan ember of ethnicity which can threatened the peace of the community.
"It's a lie from the deepest pit of hell. These don't have shame but Lagosians are seeing through their lies," the group noted.
The group's reaction was contained via a press statement issued on Friday, 10 November, 2023.
Going through memory lane, the Lagos Patriots explained that all houses demolished buildings in Alaba were not only distressed but also capable of causing tragedy in the state.
"Liars accused the state government of ethnic cleansing but random investigations have revealed that there was nothing of such.
"Now they're bringing in another narrative - that the state government is handing over the land for the Chinese to build shops," the group said.
According to the Lagos Patriots, the land in question belongs to Ojo Local Government.
"The truth of the matter was that there was a development agreement between Ojo Local Government and a Nigerian developer to build shops on the land. It should be noted that Ojo Local Government are the real owners of the land with a valid C of O signed and issued to the council in December 2005 by then Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
"It is instructive to note that the local developer has constructed a drainage channel of over 300m long and 12m wide to de-flood the area spending over N400 million.
"The developer had to spend such huge amount to de-flood the area because it was the directive of the state Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources before commencing any market development," the group.
The Lagos Patriots stated further that the action of the developer has brought huge relief to residents of the area who hitherto don't sleep with their two eyes closed whenever it rains.
The group explained that it was developer who invited a construction company to build the market.
"The MD of the construction company is a Chinese hence the wrong allegation that the land is being handed over to a Chinese.
"The Chinese had no stake in the market but they were only contracted to build a truly international market.
"Rather than fan embers of ethnicity, all right-thinking people should rather commend the Chairman of the local government for deeming it fit to redevelop Alaba into a befitting international market.
"We are therefore calling on traders at Alaba international market not to allow a few ethnic chauvinists and disgruntled people to mislead them in confronting the laudable intention of Lagos State Government in creating an enabling business environment across the state. Let us all, irrespective of tribe or religion to continue to live in peace and harmony in Lagos, which is a home for all of us," the group concluded.
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