The Lagos State House of Assembly has met with residents of the Makoko community affected by recent demolitions and directed relevant ministries and agencies to suspend the exercise in the area.
The meeting, held on Monday and led by the Majority Leader of the House, Noheem Adams, was convened to address concerns arising from the Makoko and Oworonshoki demolition exercise. Adams, who also chairs the House Committee on Makoko Demolition, instructed all ministries and agencies involved to halt demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Afon, and Shogunro communities.
He assured residents that members of the state assembly would conduct an on-the-spot assessment to verify the specific setbacks being enforced by the government. According to him, community leaders would also be elected to serve as members of a Taskforce Committee to be constituted for the exercise.
Adams stressed that while the state government remains committed to protecting lives and property, it would not overlook the dangers associated with living under high-tension power lines.
The lawmakers also criticised the Chairman of Yaba Local Council Development Area, Bayo Adefuye, for distributing food items to displaced residents, noting that what the affected persons needed most at the time was shelter rather than palliatives.
Speaking at the meeting, the Special Adviser on e-GIS and Urban Development, Olajide Babatunde, said the state government had consistently engaged Makoko residents on the ongoing regeneration plan. He emphasised that the government had no intention of wiping out the Makoko community, adding that demolition activities had been halted.
Babatunde disclosed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has earmarked $2 million for the development of Makoko, stressing that the community would remain because it is an integral part of Lagos history. He also assured that residents affected by the demolition would be adequately compensated.
Some community leaders, however, expressed dissatisfaction with external representation, stating that they no longer want non-governmental organisations to speak on their behalf. They appealed directly to the state government to stop further demolitions and engage them in dialogue.
State officials maintained that the demolition exercise was carried out for safety and urban renewal reasons, noting that structures built within 100 metres of transmission lines crossing the lagoon were marked for removal.
