Mile 2 Residents Organise Protest Over Demolition Of Sewage Yard

 

As Lagos State Task Force on Environmental through Lagos Building Investment Company (LBIC) demolished Mile 2 sewage treatment plant yard under Lagos State Wastewater Management at the low-cost housing estate Amuwo Odofin (New Town), Landlords/Residents Association (AOLA) took to the streets to protest the demolition of the sewage yard which many are saying the Government wants to turn to a container terminal. They described the situation as unhealthy

hazard to the Estate community.

The aged people in the Estate chanted solidarity songs and carried different placards at the sewage yard which read: "Call LBIC To Order, Jankande Legacy Is Being Destroyed." "Gov. Sanwo-Olu promised To Build Modern Sewage And Not To Destroy." "Sanwo-Olu, Stop Illegal Act.", etc. 

The AOLA President, Prince Mufutau Ayilara while speaking during the protest, said enough is enough and asked when did the Lagos State Government turned to a land-grabber. 

According to him: "We're protesting based on the demolished premises meant for our sewage plant. The Mile 2 sewage plant has been there for over 40 years. I met that sewage plant when I was young and I came in here in 1982 when I was in primary school. At a time, in the year, probably 2000, it was pulled down because it wasn't functioning fine anymore. And the then State government promised that another one will be re-erected, and up till date nothing was done. 

"But to our dismay, some few weeks or over a month ago precisely, we heard and we saw and we found out that the Lagos State Task force  came in here and chased out all the sewage operators' tankers there. 

"We've been authoritatively informed that the yard will be used for a container terminal or housing scheme beside a gas station as this is an environmental hazard to over two hundred and fifty thousand residents of the community."

Also, the President said leaving the whole residents with one option of directing their sewage chambers to the gutters would cause a health epidemic in the community.

Ayilara urged the state government to put a stop to its moves if there wouldn't be alternative sewage plant treatment for the residents. He described the protest as peaceful, and to warn and call the attention of the government, particularly the Lagos Building Investment Company encroaching on the community property without carrying the members of the community along.

Another resident, Mr. Shittu Ishola, echoed the stance of the President, adding that the sewage yard is under the Lagos State water-waste management (Sewage treatment) and an alternative route for motorists coming to Fagbmes to Apple junction to Orile, Lagos Island, and Cele/Oshodi Apapa instead of facing the distance journey to Alakija Way roundabout to avoid being attacked on the highway at night by armed robbers. "The government should reconsider its decision and look into the community's requests because the high rate of robbery, and that the community's gutters are now flooded with faeces.

In a letter sighted by Mile 2 community news which was written to the Executive Governor of Lagos State Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, by the Amuwo Odofin (New Town) landlords/Residents Association dated February 16th, 2022 and reminder letter dated March 9, 2022 and duly received with the stamp of the Chief-of-Staff to the Governor: "Demolished Sewage treatment plant yard" what is Next? "Our conditioner demand for a modern seamless sewage treatment plant profound a solution where a government can adopt a modern scientific means of treating human solid waste and LBIC lacks vision to manage the estate."