Q: Your Royal Majesty sir, what can you tell us about the massive demolition of houses, churches, mosques and traditional shrines in your kingdom by Lagos State Government?
A: We thank God for everything. First and foremost, I must commend the resilience and patience that people of Igbogbo have exhibited since the commencement of this exercise. Number one, nobody in this town has demonstrated or presented any divergent position on whether this project should proceed or not. To my people, the road construction is long overdue and it’s something they have been expecting.
The fact that they have taken it upon themselves to start removing their properties and salvaging the little they can salvage out of their properties, shows that they are on the part of government for the progress of this community and Lagos state as a whole.
Q: But those affected are crying for compensation; they said they ought to have been compensated before carrying out this demolition.
A: Yes! We had to come in at a point, one, to allay the fear regarding the payment of compensation, which most of them believe should take place earlier on before the demolition. We must say that, we equally agree with them on that but we have to explain to them that government is under pressure to proceed with this project, considering the general economic situation of Nigeria now. So, if it is coming this way, with the assurance from the State Government that compensation would be paid to all and sundry, every affected person would be taken care of. I think, we should continue to extend our support. Igbogbo people are appreciative of the government’s benevolence, regarding this road project.
Q: Is it because the people really want this project that they are sacrificing as much as this?
A: The sacrifice they can make is what they are making now. My people have had to exhume corpses that they had buried for centuries in those affected homes at their own expense. A whole chunk of a mini community within the town is going down for this project. The heritages within the community have been sacrificed for the progress of this town. I commend all my people; I pray that God will reward all of them adequately. This palace, the traditional institution, is solidly behind them and we share in their plan.
Q: Is this Palace affected by the demolition?
A: Almost half of it is going to be demolished to pave way for the project.
Q: So, how will you get a befitting palace after the demolition?
A: The State Government has been taking care of the palace before now; so, it is the responsibility of the government. We believe the State will do something; I believe the same plan they have for the members of the community is the one they have for the palace. So, we are all experiencing the pain of this moment for a better Igbogbo.
Q: What are you doing to ensure that your people are timely and adequately compensated?
A: We have talked to government officials and we have their assurance that they would go back and do the needful on time to cushion the effect of this exercise on our people. We are equally on our toes and we are not going to relent. We want to see what we can do in collaboration with the State Government to ensure that the compensation issue is sorted out within the shortest possible time. I know the government is a listening government; I believe they would do it on time.
Q: How do you feel now that this project is being executed during your reign?
A: This project is a landmark project that every responsible person placed in position of authority would want to appreciate for life. I said it is a landmark because it is a major project that no one envisaged could come so early to this community. I believe we are reaping the fruit of our loyalty and prayer for this present government in Lagos State ably headed by the Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. I must say that I’m very happy and thankful to God Almighty for making it a reality during my reign.
In addition to this, we look forward to more project coming to this town as a result of the implementation of this one. We heard it from a good authority that the Igbogbo Stadium along this road would equally be constructed. We also have the Primary Health Centre along this road; we hope it would be upgraded as well because it has been in a very pathetic state for almost a century. We have been given assurance that it would be taken care of. This road project has many things attached to it. Asides the government project itself, so many economic activities on this road will spring up to the glory of God.
Q: Is it true that the multi-million Naira project Sen. Gbenga Ashafa gave this community was affected by this demolition?
A: It has been confirmed to me that the project will be demolished. However, the distinguished Senator has been part of government in Lagos State; I think he would find a way around it. It’s not going to be abandoned. It’s quite unfortunate that it has to be this way but we will not allow the project to just go like that. We will look for a way it can be accommodated.
Q: What is the duration of this Road Project and what will it cost?
A: The demolition, I believe, won’t take much time. I think it is less than two years. From what we were told, the State Government is expending nothing less than 33 Billion Naira on the project. This division should be thankful to God and His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.
Q: Concerning compensation issue, what will be the fate of those who inherited properties from their late parents without having the Certificate of Occupancy (Cof O)?
A: We have had discussion with government officials on the issue of the documents of families without C of O, but I believe government will handle it in a way that our people will not be shortchanged. We have been assured of compensation for all affected property owners.
Q: Lastly Sir, what is your message to your subjects at this crucial period?
A: I want to assure our people that the issue of compensation would be handled closely with the government, so that they can act on it within the shortest possible time. We thank all of them for their support and we pray that God will not leave them. As it is now, they should just take it as a sacrifice they are making for this community. For your information, my family houses, both maternal and paternal sides as well as my chiefs’ houses are totally going. Almost half of this Palace is also going to be demolished too; so it is not a one sided exercise.
Please, continue to be patient and give more support to the present administration in this State and the traditional institution, so that many other things that are supposed to follow this project would become a reality. I want to use this opportunity to thank His Excellency, the Governor of Lagos.