The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has said the planned demolition of Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) Shopping Complex, Ikeja, Lagos, was in compliance with environmental impact assessment to avoid hazards.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a press statement, on Satirday in Abuja, said: “The NPF has been inundated with enquiries concerning the planned demolition of the POWA Shopping Complex, Ikeja, Lagos.
“It has become imperative to properly establish that the complex, a property of POWA, which is officially allocated to wives of police officers and their relatives, has been scheduled for demolition to enable the Force commence immediate construction of a modern shopping complex on the same land.
“The decision to demolish and reconstruct is predicated on the fact that professional opinion indicate that the structure as it is constitutes a looming environmental hazard, as the site is prone to flood, and may be susceptible to sudden collapse, hence the need for immediate landscaping and reconstruction.”
The spokesperson, who disclosed that the planned demolition and reconstruction would be in phases, noted that: “All necessary legal requirements have been duly met. The current occupants of the complex have been given more-than-enough notice of the demolition to enable their evacuation from the facility in good time, necessary steps have been taken to temporarily accommodate them within the same complex while the reconstruction lasts.
“Equally, the relevant Lagos State Government agency, according to its expert advice, has been approached, required help sought, and necessary approvals for demolition obtained.”
According to Adejobi, “While the demolition will proceed as planned, Nigerians are hereby urged to disregard frivolous claims, unsubstantiated protests, and media blackmail alleging wrongdoing and illegality on the part of the Force or the POWA. The Police and its affiliates, like the POWA, will always be committed to better welfare and standard of living for its personnel and their families.”
