The Lagos State House of Assembly has ordered an immediate halt to demolition activities in the Makoko community, directing all relevant ministries and agencies to suspend the exercise pending further engagement with residents.
The directive followed a meeting between lawmakers and affected residents of Makoko and Oworonshoki, convened to address concerns arising from the recent demolition exercise.
The meeting was led by the Majority Leader of the House, Noheem Adams, who also chairs the House Committee on Makoko Demolition. Adams instructed all ministries and agencies involved to stop all demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Afon and Shogunro communities.
He assured residents that members of the Assembly would conduct an on-the-spot assessment to verify the specific setbacks and alignments being enforced by the state government.
Adams further disclosed that community leaders would be elected into a Taskforce Committee to be constituted, ensuring residents’ participation in decision-making.
According to him, the Lagos State Government has no plan to wipe out Makoko, stressing that the demolition exercise has been halted. “Makoko is part of Lagos’ history, and the community will remain,” Adams said.
He also revealed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved $2 million for the development of Makoko, adding that residents affected by the demolition would be duly compensated.
Some community leaders at the meeting stated that they no longer want any non-governmental organisations to represent them, saying they prefer to engage directly with the government.
They appealed to the state government to permanently stop the demolition exercise and embrace dialogue.
Meanwhile, Lagos State officials have maintained that the demolitions were carried out for safety and urban renewal reasons.
According to the government, structures built within 100 metres of transmission lines crossing the lagoon were marked for removal due to safety concerns.
