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26 communities in Lagos fear eviction
TWENTY-SIX communities in Lagos may soon face possible displacement by the Lagos State government when the planned Lekki Free Trade Zone (LEFTZ) is implemented
In a letter to Governor Bola Tinubu, on July 18, by the Executive Director of Social and Economic Rights Action Centre (STRAC), Mr. Felix Mouka, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Lagos, the group urged Governor Tinubu not to allow LEFTZ project to re-enact the gory spectacle and blemish of July 1990 Maroko demolition perpetrated by Raji Rasaki administration that made over 300,000 Lagosians homeless.
According to the letter, though the group supports any worthy initiatives aimed at advancing the social economic development of Nigeria, the project should rather be in accordance with the rule of law and democratic principles of due consultation, full disclosure, transparency and inclusive participation.
It stated that the Lekki Free Trade Zone project has so far fallen short of these standards and expectations as it is now universally understood that any economic or development project that does not take into account the wellbeing and interests of affected local population is not only fundamentally flawed, but also in violation of important constitutional and international human rights standards that the Lagos State government is obliged to respect and protect.
In that letter copied to the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly chairman, Lekki Free Trade Zone Implementation Committee, the Managing Director, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, Chairman, Lekki Local Council, and Chairman, House Committee on Human Rights and Public Relations, Mouka said the group remained confident that appropriate steps and expedite actions would be taken to address the gaps highlighted and to bring the project development in conformity with due process, democratic vales and principles.
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