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By Maduka Nweke
The Lagos state government has distanced itself from the demolition of POWA complex near the Computer Village in Ikeja, saying it had no hand in it.
The clarification became necessary as many commentators thought the demolished facility was that of the Lagos State government since it was situated near computer village and was being viewed through ethnic lens.
When the Daily Sun contacted the State government on the matter, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, in a release said: “Lagos State Government has nothing to do with the demolition at Computer Village in Ikeja. The structure is owned by the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), which ordered its demolition.
“Those circulating the fake news that Lagos State Government is demolishing Computer Village are opportunistic ethnic chauvinists who will always relish in vacuous propaganda that can fuel their fiendish mission; they will always fail in dividing Lagosians”.
A police officer who pleaded anonymity corroborated Omotosho, insisting that the demolition had nothing to do with Lagos state government.
“They built on our land and we have asked them to vacate for some time but they refused. What they normally do is to pool some money and tip some people among the ranks and files in POWA. They will succeed in dousing the tension at the time but that does not mean that we have forgotten about it.
“I can understand some people have idle money so they are looking to see where they can spend it. Those saying Lagos, Lagos are merely causing confusion because it is not the Lagos State Government. People should get themselves gainfully busy and stop pedaling rumour that cannot be substantiated,” she stated.
According to the Managing Director, Word Best International P and Logistic Company, Mr. Shedrack Obiamaka Ike, who sells and repairs phones, laptops and other things, the story that there was demolition in computer village is false because the aspect of the area being demolished is the side of the Police Quarters.” It is them with those that backed them who they said crossed boundaries. I think there has been a notice of evacuation of the area for over a year now.
“It is not unfortunate that they demolished the area because they know.
It is not computer village that they demolished. There has been an issue between the Police Quarters and those who built shops there.
People can carry any rumour but bear in mind that it was not all Computer Village that they demolished. That is the little I know. If there is any other thing other than what I told you, I don’t know that one,” he said.
