LAGOS ASSEMBLY ORDERS HALT TO MAKOKO DEMOLITIONS, ASSURES RESIDENTS OF REVIEW
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Lagos State House of Assembly has met with residents of the Makoko community affected by recent demolition exercises and has directed relevant ministries and agencies to immediately halt further demolitions in the area.
The meeting, held on Monday and led by the Majority Leader of the House, Mr Noheem Adams, was convened to address concerns arising from the demolition of structures in Makoko and neighbouring Oworonshoki communities.
Adams, who also chairs the House Committee on Makoko Demolition, directed all ministries and agencies involved in the exercise to suspend demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Afon, and Shogunro communities. He assured residents that lawmakers would conduct an on-the-spot assessment to determine the exact setback being enforced by the government.
He further disclosed that community leaders would be elected as members of a task force committee to be constituted to engage with relevant authorities. According to him, while the state government remains committed to protecting lives and property, it cannot ignore the dangers associated with living under high-tension power lines.
The lawmakers also criticised the Chairman of Yaba Local Council Development Area, Mr Bayo Adefuye, over the distribution of food items to displaced residents, stating that shelter, not palliatives, was the immediate need of those affected.
Speaking at the meeting, the Special Adviser on e-GIS and Urban Development, Mr Olajide Babatunde, said the state government has consistently engaged Makoko residents on its regeneration plans. He stressed that there was no intention to wipe out the community, adding that demolition activities had been suspended.
Babatunde disclosed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had approved a $2 million allocation for the development of Makoko, describing the community as an integral part of Lagos history. He also assured that residents affected by the demolition would be adequately compensated.
Some community leaders at the meeting stated that they no longer wanted non-governmental organisations to represent them, expressing readiness to engage directly with the government. They appealed to the state government to permanently halt the demolition exercise.
Lagos State officials, however, maintained that the demolition was carried out for safety and urban renewal purposes, noting that all structures within 100 metres of transmission lines crossing the lagoon were marked for removal.
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