Human rights organization Amnesty International has called on the federal government to immediately withdraw the National Inland Waterways Authority’s NIWA 21-day ultimatum to residents of waterfront communities in Oworonshoki to vacate their homes or face forceful eviction for alleged violations of the NIWA Act.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Amnesty’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, stated that the threat of forced eviction violated the rights of the communities to adequate housing.
The inhabitants revealed to Amnesty International that the anticipated demolition was driven by the Lagos state government’s reported plans to transfer the land to private estate developers without providing locals with alternative housing, leaving them homeless.
Amnesty reiterated that NIWA and the Lagos State Government have an obligation to comply with international human rights law, which completely prohibits forced evictions.”
