by Bola Akinmodiro
The Lagos State Government has said the recent demolitions in Makoko were carried out as part of a broader safety, environmental and urban redevelopment policy aimed at preventing loss of lives and improving living conditions in vulnerable waterfront communities.
The government said the exercise was consistent with similar clearance operations across the state and was not targeted at Makoko alone.
This explanation was given on Monday during a press briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, by the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on eGIS and Urban Development, Dr Olajide Babatunde.
According to the state government, the intervention was necessitated by the location of some structures within high-tension power corridors and other high-risk zones, which have been linked to fatal incidents in different parts of Lagos.
The government said it has carried out similar enforcement actions in other communities following cases of electrocution, fire outbreaks and building collapses, adding that Makoko was part of a statewide safety drive.
The briefing also revealed that the Sanwo-Olu administration has, since 2021, set aside about 2 million dollars for the redevelopment of the Makoko waterfront to align with international standards, with assurances that affected residents would be compensated.
Makoko, a densely populated waterfront settlement largely inhabited by fishing communities, has for decades raised concerns around sanitation, fire safety, structural integrity of buildings and access for emergency services.
The state government said earlier redevelopment proposals for Makoko, including a shoreline extension project, were abandoned after environmental impact assessments by local and international experts warned of potential damage to the lagoon and surrounding marine ecosystem.
As an alternative, the government said it has adopted a Water City Project model, which is designed to allow residents to remain in the area while addressing infrastructure deficits, environmental protection and public health concerns.
The state said it has engaged international partners, including the United Nations, which visited Makoko in 2021, and initially indicated interest in supporting the redevelopment with counterpart funding. However, global funding constraints have affected the availability of external support, prompting the state to seek assistance from donor agencies, the private sector and development partners.
In justifying its approach, the government referenced previous regeneration and relocation projects in areas such as Okobaba, Adeniji-Adele and Dosunmu, where redevelopment was achieved through consultations and negotiated agreements with residents and traders.
In Okobaba, residents were relocated to Agbowa in Ikorodu, where housing units, infrastructure and operational facilities were provided, a process the government described as peaceful and consultative.
The government said enforcement of building codes, minimum setbacks and land pooling in regeneration areas remains necessary to reduce risks associated with overcrowding and unsafe construction.
Also addressing public reactions, the state government acknowledged the right of citizens to protest but stressed that demonstrations must be conducted without disrupting public order or infringing on the rights of other residents in the densely populated city.
The briefing comes amid public criticism and protests following the Makoko demolitions, with concerns raised by residents and rights groups over displacement and consultation.
The Lagos State Government, however, maintained that the intervention was guided by safety considerations and long-term redevelopment plans rather than political motives, insisting that its priority remains the protection of lives and the improvement of living standards across the state.
