Artisans storm Lagos Assembly, protest demolition

Hundreds of artisans on Tuesday stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly to protest massive demolition of their buildings in the state by the state government.

The protesters under the aegis of the Federation of Informal Workers Association of Nigeria (FIWON) wanted the government to stop all demolition of buildings ongoing across the state.

The protesters, armed with placards and banners argued that any government that failed to recognise the roles played by people in the informal sector in governance, and chose to embark on the demolition of their houses and businesses, was sowing the seed of failure both in the short and long run.

The group which comprises mechanics, market traders, and farmers, among others, was led by the General Secretary of FIWON, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, who accused the Lagos State government of using the state’s megacity dream as an avenue to rob hapless residents of their lands, markets and businesses.

“The Lagos State government has been trespassing on the rights of the informal sector. They use officers of the state’s taskforce to intimidate law abiding residents who are going about their normal businesses.

“They harass and lock them up in prisons. Now, we understand that due to lack of space at Kirikiri, those arrested are now taken to Badagry. Sadly, when they come back from these prisons, most of our people do so in vegetative states, and some have even died,” he said.

Addressing the protesters, The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transport, Mr. Olanrewaju Elegushi, promised to convey the message of the protesters to the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, saying the present administration was a government with a human face and would not do anything against the law.