Ex-NUJ Scribe Seeks Demolition Of Illegal Shops

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President, Festac Town Residents Association (FTRA), Mr. Jola Ogunlusi, has called for the demolition of more than 3,000 illegal shops scattered all over the town.

Ogunlusi said this was necessary to restore the lost glory of the community once referred to as a ‘small London.’

“Originally, only 631 shops were approved to meet the needs of the residents. They were strategically located. However, today, there are over 3,000 shops illegally built in the community.

“One of the shops illegally built is located at 71 Road, by 7th Avenue, occupied by Chi-Chi Stop Over Bar and Restaurant.

“Officials of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area approached the owner of the bar and advised her to ensure that her customers do not park their cars on the road or sit on the walk way and green lawns and desist from noise pollution.

“When the warnings were not heeded, the Amuwo-Odofin council officials sealed the shop on 24 April, 2012. But almost immediately, the owner of Chi-Chi Stop Over Bar removed the council seal, broke the lock and reopened her shop to customers.

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“The woman’s affront was reported to the Chairman of Festac Town Residents Association Community One, Dr. Alex Edoh who had earlier mediated that she should not be dragged to court. A letter was also forwarded to the Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs on the breaking of the seal of the council and constant breach of environmental law by the owner of the bar,” Ogunlusi narrated.

Ogunlusi who was the National Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, for many years said many shops were sealed by the council but none of them broke the seal and lock to reopen their shops illegally like the owner of Chi-Chi Stop Over Bar and Restaurant did.

“We are solidly behind the Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Comrade Ayodele Adewale, on his efforts to sanitise the community so that Festac town can regain its enviable aesthetics of several years ago,” he added.

Comrade Adewale was not available to speak on the matter when P.M.NEWS called at the council’s secretariat but his legislative assistant, Mr. Livinus Ede, confirmed all the allegations levelled against the owner of Chi Chi bar.

“We are working to restore order in the community and action will soon be taken against her,” he assured.

—Moyo Fabiyi

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