By Ify Onyekwere
In a shocking turn of events, the demolition of a building owned by Datkem Enterprises in Ijebu Ode has sent shockwaves through the community and raised serious questions about development policies in Ogun State, Nigeria. The circumstances surrounding the demolition of the Datkem building on the early morning of Sunday, September 10, 2023, have left many bewildered.
Datkem Enterprises, registered as LAZ 083424 with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), traces its roots back to 1999 when Mrs. Olufunke Daniel established the business to support and complement her husband’s business endeavors. Over the years, the company expanded its operations and invested in property development.
In 2006, Mrs. Daniel acquired an old building premise on Folagbade Street in Ijebu Ode, and she meticulously followed all legal and proper building development procedures. The year 2009 marked the conceptualization of her development vision for the acquired premises, and she initiated the process by submitting architectural and structural engineering drawings. Subsequently, an application for Urban Renewal Development permits was submitted to the Ogun State Town Planning department, and the government issued appropriate permits and approvals for reconstruction.
Construction works began in line with the issued permits, but in 2011, they were temporarily suspended for logistical reasons. By that time, the project had reached the first floor level.
In 2012, the Ogun State government initiated major road expansion projects known as “Ogun Standard roads” in various cities, including Ijebu Ode. This initiative brought about significant changes in Urban Renewal Development Controls, affecting both new and old construction development premises, including Datkem’s property. The expansion led to a reduction of setbacks and airspaces, and many property owners, including Datkem Enterprises, lost parts of their properties.
Crucially, many of these property owners did not receive compensation for their losses, as the government deemed the projects “compulsory compliance” against the usual norms of Urban Renewal Regulation processes.
By 2022, Datkem Enterprises, faced with the need to adapt its drawings to accommodate the reduced setbacks caused by the completed road expansion, submitted all necessary paperwork to the Ogun State Government to seek permission for the recommencement of construction.
It is important to note that throughout the development project, the company’s name was interchangeably referred to as “Datkem Enterprises” and “Datkem Enterprises Ltd” in various correspondences. However, the statutory ownership of the business, registered with the CAC as Datkem Enterprises, LAZ 083424, remained undisputed, with Mrs. Olufunke Daniel as the sole proprietor.
The demolition of the building on September 10, 2023, raises significant concerns about the transparency and adherence to due process in urban development and renewal initiatives. It is imperative that the Ogun State Government provides a clear and comprehensive explanation for the reasons behind the demolition and whether it was carried out in compliance with established regulations.
This incident highlights the importance of fairness, due process, and accountability in urban development policies to safeguard the rights and interests of property owners. The community and stakeholders eagerly await an official response and clarification from the government regarding this matter.
