At least 19 buildings were pulled down at the New Mandela Plaza, within the popular Trade Fair Complex in Lagos as the state government today September 25 began the removal of illegal development, structures without statutory approvals and defective structures and structures built on road setback and drainages.

Officials of the Lagos State Urban Development, Ministry of Physical Planning, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA), Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), Office of Infrastructure including the Honorable Members of the Lagos House of Assembly stormed the area with armed security to carry out the demolition.

A distraught trader while reacting to the demolition, said no fewer than 19 buildings valued at over N150 million each were affected by the exercise.

“If government doesn’t want companies or development here, they should just come out and say it. People have invested their life savings here. Over 19 buildings are in that plaza”, one trader said angrily.