The Lagos State House of Assembly has urged Governor Babajide Sanwoolu to relocate those affected by the recent demolition in Makoko and others to Agbowa community.
The House made the appeal after adopting the recommendations of its Committee on Rules and Business on the demolition exercise carried out in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Sogunro communities.
The resolution followed a petition addressed to the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, titled: “Urgent Appeal Regarding Ongoing Mass Forced Eviction and Illegal Demolition Threatening Tens of Thousands in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Sogunro Communities.”
Presenting the report during the plenary at the Committee of the Whole, Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Business, Mr. Noheem Adams, explained that the committee reached its conclusions after engaging the petitioners in five separate meetings and conducting an oversight visit alongside relevant government officials, agencies and representatives of the affected communities.
According to the committee, the demolition exercise undertaken by the state government displaced numerous residents, including the elderly, the sick, women and children, while also leading to the destruction of homes and other properties.
The committee observed that the affected waterfront communities largely depend on fishing as their primary source of livelihood and have historically lived on the water due to the nature of their occupation.
It further noted that living conditions in Makoko and surrounding areas deteriorated significantly following the demolition, resulting in environmental and health hazards, as well as heightened safety and security concerns.
The lawmakers also recommended that the government relocate the remaining residents of the affected communities to a proposed low-cost housing estate to be constructed in the Agbowa area of the state, where they can continue their fishing activities.
In addition, the committee advised that the government should involve the Oloto of the Otto Family in the construction of the Water City Project, recognising them as the original owners of the land.
Written by Olusegun Haastrup