The Lagos State Government commenced the demolition of Pelewura Market located on Lagos Island, on Friday.

The Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Jubril Gawat, said the state government has also commenced the payment of compensation to traders in the market.

In a post on his X handle on Friday, Gawat said the demolition was to restore the urban development plan of Lagos Island.

The New Media Aide to Sanwo-Olu wrote, “The Lagos State Government through the Urban Development Office, The Lagos Building Control Agency has taken over Pelewura. Compensation payment ongoing.

“We demolished the location for Massey hospital and it is already in use. Same will go for Pelewura, Bombata, Jankara too.”

According to Gawat, the current state of the Pelewara Market did not fit into the modern Lagos market plan for the state.

Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had during the official presentation of bank cheques and bank drafts to victims of the Docemo fire incident, approved the total demolition and reconstruction of the market.

In his address, Sanwo-olu promised that all traders and occupants of the market who would be affected by the demotion would receive compensation.

The Lagos State Government has yet to speak about whether the original occupants of the market would be made to have access to their shops after reconstruction.