The Oworo Youth Forum has appealed to international cooperation agencies to halt all ongoing climate action initiatives conducted in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.
The Youth Forum in a press release signed by Opeyemi Ogunlami said the appeal was necessitated due to concerns over the Ministry’s failure to fulfill its fundamental obligation of safeguarding the environment, biodiversity, and the inhabitants of Lagos.
The group also noted that recent actions by the Ministry have led to distressing human and environmental consequences.
The statement reads in part that “in July 2023, the Lagos State Ministry of Environment issued notifications accusing residents of Oworonshoki and Mosofe Idi Araba communities of encroaching upon wetlands, engaging in illegal wetland conversion, and residing within wetland areas. However, the Oworo Youth Forum contends that the affected communities are located approximately 2km away from any wetland region.
“Furthermore, the unveiling of the Kosofe Masterplan by the Lagos State Government outlines a massive 70-hectare sand-filling project for a jetty, posing a significant threat to the last remaining wetland adjacent to Oworonshoki.
“The Ministry also alleges that residences in these communities lack proper sanitation facilities. Contrary to this claim, families in the Precious Seed community have adopted cost-effective “Mobile Dry Diversion Toilets,” accessible to their neighbors.
Many other households possess internal toilet facilities. The Oworo Youth Forum highlights that the Ministry is responsible for water and sanitation provision, services that have not reached their communities, necessitating local initiatives like the “Water Trust Fund.”
Apart from the plea to suspend collaboration with the Ministry, the group implore cooperation agencies to support their our demands directed towards the Lagos State House of Assembly and Governor Sanwo-Olu to “issue necessary titles (CofO) to all landlords impacted by the demolitions, waiving all associated fees, irrespective of their capacity to produce requisite documentation, many of which were destroyed during the demolition process;
“Provide unconditional compensation to every affected resident, whether landlord or tenant, for the loss of property and income endured since the demolition operations; Assist impacted residents in reconstructing their homes through a participatory approach, establishing appropriate infrastructure, and ensuring access to clean water and sanitation;
“Institute measures to dismiss Ministry personnel who contravened democratic principles by unlawfully endorsing land appropriation by individuals. Implement internal protocols to prevent the recurrence of such inhumane incidents.”
The Oworo Youth Forum stated that it “remains committed to advocating for the protection of our environment, the rights of our communities, and the welfare of our residents. We urge international cooperation agencies to stand with us in holding accountable those responsible for these egregious actions and to safeguard the principles of environmental preservation and climate resilience.”
In a troubling turn of events, the “Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit” affiliated with the Ministry initiated an unexpected operation in the area from July 26 to 31. This operation resulted in the demolition of numerous homes and structures, primarily along the waterfront. Bulldozers leveled brick and wood residences, and fires consumed many properties. These actions left thousands homeless and destitute while continuing to contaminate the air, soil, and water, including the Lagoon water and nearby wetlands. It is evident that the Lagos State Government has not learned from previous climate resilience projects conducted in collaboration with international agencies.
Surprisingly, the Ministry no longer cites environmental justifications for these demolitions. During a hearing at the Lagos State House of Assembly, it was revealed that the actions were prompted by directives from a traditional ruler, who had previously served as a special assistant to the Governor. Such interventions by traditional rulers in governmental matters are deemed unconstitutional in Nigeria. The ruler urged the Ministry to deploy its “Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit” to clear land in Oworonshoki, alleging criminal activities. Matters of criminal nature should be reported to the police for investigation, yet the local police station was not informed.
In light of these concerns, the Oworo Youth Forum urgently appeals to international cooperation agencies to suspend collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources. They also implore cooperation agencies to support their demands directed towards the Lagos State House of Assembly and Governor Sanwoolu, which include issuing necessary titles (CofO) to affected landlords, providing unconditional compensation to impacted residents, assisting in reconstruction efforts, and implementing measures to prevent future incidents.
The Oworo Youth Forum remains steadfast in their commitment to protecting the environment, upholding community rights, and ensuring the welfare of residents. They call upon international cooperation agencies to join them in holding accountable those responsible for these actions and in safeguarding the principles of environmental preservation and climate resilience.