By Uzor Odigbo
Demolition exercise has almost been concluded at the National Stadium, Lagos.
The exercise was aimed at illegal structures that have distorted the once tourists edifice that hosted international events.
However, ThisDay reports that there had been outcry from a section of the public since the pulling down of business structures within the arena commenced.
It quoted the Co-chairman of the Ministerial Committee of the restoration’ of the edifice, Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama (rtd), as saying that the exercise was done in the interest of the country.
Last week, the 48-year-old edifice went under bulldozer with over 120 structures demolished including the popular pubs like O’Jez and Old Skool restaurants.
The general outcry was largely centered on the disruption of economic lifeline of largely middle and low-level business owners.
The timing was also cited in the outcry. However, the retired naval officer in an interview with Thisday said that all the occupants were aware of the demolition exercise but it was just unfortunate that many had to sacrifice their respective means of livelihood at a time everyone was adjusting to the present reality.
“We gave every affected individual proper notification which is a normal thing between landlord and tenants and in this case there was even an extension of the process so that nothing is lost aside losing rented apartment.
“It is interesting to note that we have two categories of occupants namely Illegal ones with little or no case for their predicament and the legal ones operating illegally on government property.
“After engaging all of them individually and collectively last year, we had resolved that all those with evidence of legality will not renew their tenancy at the end of December last year and same thing applied to the other set who are here illegally.
“The Committee was working with a timeline to go ahead with the exercise in the first quarter of this year but Covid-19 which led to the lockdown slowed down the process.
“On a personal note I sympathy with all those affected but it is one action that will benefit the sport sector in the long run,” he explained.
Since 2004, the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, has been desolate with virtually all aspects of the complex, including the seats, tartan tracks, turf and the media centre in bad state.
All the stalls under the ramps leading to the main bowl of the complex have been demolished while offices in the areas harbouring some national sports associations were also not spared.
The most affected were the owners of the major businesses, popular O’jez which operates behind covered stand of the swimming pool area of the stadium and Old Skool located inside the Ayonate Boxing Gym.
The duo are said to have invested hundred on millions into the venture in the last couple of years.
However, the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos Chapter were spared in the exercise mainly because they are partners in sports development according to the report of the committee.
