By Vera Samuel Anyagafu and Prisca Sam-Duru
They saw it coming since they had long been warned that sooner or later the fate that befell businesses and structures located along the Orile to Mile Two stretch of the Lagos-Badagry expressway presently undergoing expansion would also be visited on them. Yet when the bulldozers came roaring again, traders and others operating along the Maza-Maza to Agboju Market stretch of the road could not help but let out a cry of anguish.
Indeed owners of structures designated for demolition in the area had all this time been marking time, hoping against hope that the demolition bulldozers will take long in visiting them. The dreaded day eventually came as the China Civil Engineering Construction Company, CCECC, the company contracted to co-join Julius Berger Plc in the construction of the Badagry-Seme routes, swung into action, demolishing hundreds of buildings on the ever busy Maza-Maza and environs, causing unbearable loss to those operating on the roadsides there.
The action which also affected residents was condemned by some who believed that the state government failed to provide alternative accommodations for residents prior to the demolition. But while not against the demolition, a few others, however, frowned at the sale and carting-away of debris from the demolition by officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Works.
Lamenting over the development, a driver attached to one of the transportation companies, who spoke on grounds of anonymity, stated thus: "The Alausa people immediately positioned their men here to sell a tipper load of debris for N12,000 and iron rods for N1.5 million. You can see for yourself that they are busy making sales from the rubbles. They are not even bothered about the way we feel, knowing that the situation has left us in the middle of nowhere".
(http://vml1.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/maza-demolition.jpg?9d7bd4) (http://www.vanguardngr.com/?attachment_id=313391)*A bulldozer at work during the demolition at Maza-Maza. INSET: A tipper being used to cart away debris from the scene A senior official of the Ministry who simply gave his name as Nuru disclosed that the Ministry is expected to finish the demolition before the contractors could commence work on the road. He, however, refused to disclose to Vanguard Metro, VM, how much has been realised from the sale of debris and metallic materials, what the money will be used for and who authorised the sale.
Hard hit by the demolition are transporters who had been in the business for decades at Maza Maza. Although visibly sad over the development, they refused to bare their minds on the subject for fear of being denied compensation by the state government.
But speaking with VM, a staff of the Young Shall Grow Motors said: "We are feeling the blow but cannot blame the government because we were given enough time to relocate. The exercise has called for a more sophisticated system of transportation as can be seen from our new locations. Touting has also reduced because we are now operating in an enclosed environment unlike in the open, where it is difficult to identify a Young Shall Grow staff among many pretenders".
On the issue of compensation, he said: "It is not in my place to disclose if the company is listed among those that are to be compensated. Some of the landlords are still at the demolition site; you can speak with them concerning the issue of Certificate of Ownership, C of O".
Apart from transportation companies, there are yet other businesses that have been crippled by the demolition exercise, with their owners struggling to find alternative places to operate from.
A local gin dealer who identified herself as Mama Peace described the situation as really bad. "We are left at the mercy of God, because as we are speaking now, I have nothing to take home to my children, and my husband's business is also affected. I have been searching for a space to place a table and continue my dry-gin business to no avail".
It was difficult for VM to locate the site of the once alluring Ausken Royal Furniture which also went down under the fury of the bulldozers. The site, however, created a big opportunity for scavengers who throng the place on a daily basis in search of different building materials for various intended reasons.
All efforts to speak with the company's Chairman failed, but a confidant who refused to give his name said that the Chairman is not bothered by the state government's action since it is for the good of all, even as he is still hopeful of being paid compensation.
According to him: "Ausken is also in Alaba International Market and had erected a more sophisticated and fully stocked decor home behind the express as soon as we received the news about demolition. For now, he is not disposed to meet with any press". The popular Promise Land Hotel was affected as a greater part of it was cut down, leaving less than half for the hotelier to run his business.
A resident who is a victim of the demolition disclosed that: "I was away on an assignment when I got the news that they have started demolition. I told my wife not to worry, that it will not get to our compound, but I was wrong, because by the next late morning, my wife called to say that she and the children have become homeless and stranded.
I had to rush back to Lagos to meet a totally different vicinity. Thanks to GSM, I was able to locate my family squatting in a friend's shop along Ijegun, Satellite Town. If not for a few of our belongings that I have come to look out for, you would not meet me here. In fact, I did not believe that the road construction will be this fast. It is unlike Nigeria".
...As fear rules Agboju Market traders
Part of the popular Agboju Market is gone, leaving traders on the other side desperating seeking for spaces inside the town, which according to Mrs. Cordelia, a second hand clothes dealer, is like looking for water in a desert. She explained thus: "It is impossible to get a shop inside Festac because the rent for the smallest shop goes for N15,000.00, per month.
I am particularly happy with the road construction, but I feel that there should have been some consideration for market women. The market leaders are preparing to meet with the Oriade Local Government Chairman on the matter, but no one knows how many the local government can provide shops for. A new place is being arranged in-between Ile-Epo and Abule-Ado, but who knows those it is intended for. We are still waiting for good news".
Also, a hair stylist at Agboju Market known as Mummy Favour narrated with sadness how her once booming business has been disrupted because of the demolition. According to her: "We were informed about the road construction and the fact that it will eventually lead to our leaving this place.
But we have not been relocated as promised and we're finding it difficult to cope with this situation now. The problem is that our customers now find it difficult to locate us. The situation was made worse few days ago when it rained. Just look at the whole place, you can hardly find a place to step on not to talk of settling down to make hair".
She also disclosed that those currently enjoying business boom are her colleagues who operate at Second Gate market, accusing them of poaching their customers.
Vanguard Nigeria