A civil society organisation, the Save Lagos Group, has carpeted the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in Lagos State for inflicting pains on the masses living in the state.

Specifically, the Save Lagos Group faulted the decision of the Akinwunmi Ambode-led government to clear structures in areas it considered as ‘slums’ across the state, saying the policy was not well thought through as it would further pauperised the poor citizens of the state.

This is coming just as the Save Lagos Group also punctured the rationale being canvassed by the state government for carrying out the demolition which it hinged on security as laughable, saying there are better ways to ensure security of the people of the state than the mass demolition of property of hapless citizens.

In a statement it issued on Tuesday, signed by the Convener, Comrade Adeniyi A. Sulaiman, and the Director, Media and Strategy, Comrade Olaolu Oladipo, the Save Lagos Group stated that the state government has shirked its responsibility of catering for the wellbeing of the poor segments of the society via the action.

To the Save Lagos Group, the state government ought to have provided alternative accommodation for those that are to be affected by the demolition, saying the failure to do so amounts to denying them their fundamental rights to decent living.

The statement reads in part: “We have taken time to study the concept of the programme being embarked upon by the state government to rid the state of criminal elements. This gesture we commend but we hasten to say that the modus operandi for carrying the policy out has left some much to be desired.

“Our opposition to the policy stems from the fact that while it is good for government to restore the aesthetic value and beauty of the state to its pristine value, care must be taken so as not to leave the vulnerable segments of the society out.”

Reacting to a statement credited to the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, who stated that the state government was not out to inflict pains on the people of the state, the Save Lagos Group added that the fact that some people of the state have staged a protest march to the seat of government means that the policy has failed.

“How else do you justify failure or success of any government policy of objective other than how the people whom the project or policy is meant for react to it? To us, the State Government should put a halt to the demolitions in the interest of the masses who are currently feeling the pangs of the current economic recession,” the statement adds.

We are using this statement to warn the state government to halt the planned demolition of ‘slum’ or risk mass action in the next seven days.

•Photo shows Governor Ambode.

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