The Lagos State House of Assembly has ordered an immediate stoppage of the ongoing demolition exercise at the Makoko waterfront and adjoining communities.
The directive was issued by the Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee on the matter, Mr Noheem Adams, following a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande Auditorium within the Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja.
Adams, who is also the Leader of the House, said the decision was taken on behalf of the Speaker, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa, and all 40 members of the Assembly.
He announced that all demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities must cease with immediate effect until further notice.
Hundreds of Makoko residents had last week protested at the Assembly over the demolitions, an action that reportedly led to tension and the arrest of some activists who are currently facing trial.
The Lagos State Government had earlier justified the demolitions on safety grounds, stating that some residents erected structures beneath high-tension power cables.
Reading out the committee’s resolutions, Adams said the Assembly would review the composition of the taskforce responsible for the exercise to ensure affected residents are adequately represented and carried along.
He also assured the communities that compensation would be paid to residents whose properties had already been demolished.
Addressing the residents, Adams said the Assembly was committed to restoring peace and ensuring fairness in the process.
The announcement was met with a loud chorus of approval from community members present at the meeting.
During the session, Chairman of Yaba Local Council Development Area, Hon Bayo Adefuye, was questioned by committee members.
Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Strategy, Mr Stephen Ogundipe, stressed the importance of communication, noting that communities must be informed and involved in plans affecting them.
Also present at the meeting, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Special Adviser on E-GIS and Urban Renewal, Dr Babatunde Olajide, reiterated the state government’s commitment to compensating affected residents.
He disclosed that the governor had set aside $2 million since 2021 for the redevelopment of the Makoko waterfront to international standards.
Dr Olajide said the state was working on a large-scale water city project and emphasised that the redevelopment would be carried out with a “human face,” adding that enumeration of affected residents was ongoing to ensure proper compensation.
Community leaders at the meeting welcomed the Assembly’s intervention and expressed satisfaction with the outcome. Some leaders also stated that they no longer wanted external interference from non-governmental organisations, insisting they could now handle their issues with legislative support.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the Baale of Makoko, Shogunro, Iwaya LCDA, High Chief Yusuf Sagra, said the Assembly’s decision had brought peace and reassurance to residents.
Chief Orioye Ogungbure also praised the deliberations, describing the Assembly’s response as a demonstration of democracy and responsive governance.
Written by Olusegun Haastrup