Lagos Govt Scatter Trade Fair Plaza: Over 19 Buildings Demolish for New Mandela

Trade Fair Wahala:Na serious gbas gbos waka happen for Lagos as goment bulldozer storm New Mandela Plaza inside the popular Trade Fair Complex. Dem no waste time at all—over 19 buildings wey dey stand gidigba before, don fall yakata today September 25. Lagos State goment talk say the buildings no get correct approval, some even sit down on top drainage and road setback like say na their papa get am.

People wey dey the plaza just dey look as their investments scatter for ground. The Lagos State Urban Development team join body with Ministry of Physical Planning, LASBCA, LASURA, LASPPPA, and even members of Lagos House of Assembly to supervise the demolition. Security men full ground too, so nobody fit try “no demolish my shop” wahala.

One trader just hold him head shout, “Over 19 buildings don fall o! Each one worth over ₦150 million!” Bros talk say many people put all their life savings inside those structures, and now goment don use caterpillar brush everything like old chalk.

Trade Fair Wahala:Traders’ Tears and Complaints

As the demolition dey go on, na so traders dey pour their mind give journalists. One angry trader wey no fit hide him vex yarn, “If goment no want any company or development for here, make dem talk am direct. No be to dey demolish and scatter people sweat like say na Lego house dem build.”

For many of the affected business people, the plaza na their only hope. Some don dey here for years, some just invest recently. But whether na old or new investor, everybody dey cry the same tears—loss of millions and the fear say dem go start life again from zero.

Another trader even joke bitterly say, “E be like say Lagos bulldozer dey hungry, na why dem carry am come chop all our shops one time.” The kind laugh wey follow na laugh wey dey hide plenty tears.

Trade Fair Wahala:What Next for Trade Fair Owners?

Now wey the New Mandela Plaza don turn to fresh demolition site, the big question na: wetin go happen to all the traders and companies wey invest here? Some people dey expect goment to provide relocation plan or compensation, but as at now, na pure silence from official quarters.

Experts don dey argue say goment dey do the right thing to clear illegal structures before disaster happen. But the traders dey insist say approval wahala no reach to scatter 19 solid buildings worth billions. Na this balance wey Lagosians dey find—development wey no go render people homeless and hopeless.

As matter be, Trade Fair Plaza don turn gist of the day. Lagosians dey debate am: government dey fight for urban renewal or na just another level of “make we demolish, no look face”? Time go tell, but for now, many business owners dey count their heavy losses while bulldozer dey count its victims.