The Lagos State Assembly has intervened in the recent demolitions in Makoko, urging ministries and agencies to halt all ongoing clearance activities in the area.
On Monday, a meeting led by Majority Leader Noheem Adams, who also chairs the House Committee on Makoko Demolition, brought together residents affected by the demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Afon, and Shogunro. The session aimed to address the concerns arising from the exercise and chart a way forward.
Adams directed all ministries involved in the demolition to stop further operations, assuring residents that assembly members would conduct on-the-spot assessments to verify the setbacks and challenges being faced by the community.
He also revealed that community leaders will be elected to serve on a Taskforce Committee to ensure local representation in discussions about the area’s redevelopment.
“The state government will continue to protect lives and property,” Adams stated, “and will not ignore the dangers attributed to living under high tension.”
READ ALSO: Makoko Demolition: Lagos To Meet Community Leaders, Victims Tuesday
The Assembly also expressed dissatisfaction with Bayo Adefuye, Chairman of Yaba Local Council Development Area, for distributing food items to displaced residents. The lawmakers argued that shelter, not palliative support, was the urgent need for the affected families.
At the meeting, Olajide Babatunde, Special Adviser on e-GIS and Urban Development, said the state government has consistently engaged with the Makoko community on the ongoing regeneration plan.
He emphasised that there is no plan to wipe out Makoko, noting that demolitions have already been suspended.
Babatunde disclosed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has allocated $2 million for Makoko’s development, stating that the community will remain because it is “part of Lagos history.”
He further assured residents that those impacted by the demolitions would be properly compensated.
Some community leaders added that they no longer wish for NGOs to represent them, preferring to dialogue directly with the government, and appealed for an immediate halt to the demolition exercises.
Officials explained that the demolition was conducted for safety and urban renewal reasons, targeting all structures built within 100 metres of transmission lines crossing the lagoon. The state government maintains that the exercise is necessary to protect residents while facilitating the community’s long-term redevelopment.
