Lagos State government has compensated 79 people whose houses were demolished last month in Oworonsoki, in Kosofe local government area of the state for not being in compliance with the state regeneration plan.

Distributing the cheques to the victims of the demolition at the palace of Oba of Oworonsoki on Friday, the General Manager of Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LSURA), Animashaun Oladimeji, said the distribution of the cheques started on Thursday, and it was done to compensate the victims.

He said the owners of the affected buildings did not have Certificate of Occupancy or building approval, and the land which they built on falls within government acquired land.

“We started the payment of compensation since Thursday, some collected their cheque yesterday, some today.The total number of people being compensated are 79,that is a testimony of what Mr Governor said, he actually promised the people that they would be compensated and it actually materialized.

“We have to thank Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu the governor of Lagos State, also we have to thank the special adviser to Mr governor on AEGIS and urban development Dr Olajide Abiodun Babatunde for job well done at the same time we have to thank the permanent secretary of urban development Architect Gbolahan Oki.

“There is one thing that government will have policy, there is another thing that people will coordinate it,so that the activities to make sure that policy materialise,” he said.

On the complaint by some of the victims that, they were not served notice Oladimeji said, “we served them notice for a long time, we served them notice for a minimum of four, five years, people are aware the area is within a regeneration area, government will not just go to a place without notifying people.”

He said the compensation paid varies from N5 million downwards, and payment was paid based on the type of building involved.

“I can’t say the total sum involved extempore, compensation was paid based on the type of house involved. You can’t expect somebody with a bungalow to get same compensation with someone with a storey building, but I think they all got tangible compensation.

“Everybody that collected the cheque was smiling. If it is not commensurate to what they were expecting with in the overriding public interest, I am sure they will squeeze their face,” he said.

Commending the state government for the compensation Hon Ganiyu Sanni, Kosofe 12 representing the area at the state assembly commended governor Sanwo-Olu for deeming it fit to compensate the victims.

“When the incident happened, I came around to sympathise with them and I told the state government they are the ones who voted for me. I have a social contract with them. I engaged the victims, I discovered very many of them do not have C of O or building approval, the houses were built on government acquired land.

“Through engagement through conversation, the governor approved compensation for them, because I made it clear that these people whose houses were demolished must get restitution.The restitution has come in a way of compensation,” he said.