LASG clarifies position on Makoko redevelopment
Lagos State House of Assembly has intervened in the escalating crisis involving the waterfront communities of Makoko, Oko-Afon and Dongunro, ordering an immediate cessation of all demolition activities by the state’s agencies.

The directive follows a tense standoff between residents and the state government over the controversial expansion of a demolition zone that residents claim has far exceeded initial agreements.

In a move to de-escalate the situation, the House has invited community leaders to a formal meeting to address the grievances and negotiate a way forward for the proposed $10 million Water City project.

The Deputy Chief Whip, Noheem Adams, who spoke on behalf of the Speaker at the Assembly Complex, offered an olive branch to the displaced residents.

He said that the legislative arm would not stand by while citizens are being rendered homeless without due process.

The lawmaker also called for transparency regarding the task force overseeing the area, demanding a list of its members to ensure community representation.

However, the tension was palpable further when Yaba LCDA Chairman, Dr Bayo Adefioye, questioned on the relief provided to those whose homes had already been razed, noted that food items had been distributed.

The House of Assembly dismissed the gesture as inadequate for the scale of the loss.

“Food items were not the kind of palliative the people needed at that time,” a lawmaker noted, saying the community’s demand for housing security is necessary rather than temporary aid.

Meanwhile, representative of the state governor, the Special Adviser to the Governor on E-GIS, Olajide Babatunde, has defended the state government’s vision, noting that the clearing is part of a broader urban renewal plan.

He said that the state had committed $2 million toward a modern Water City project, with the United Nations (UN) expected to contribute a further $8 million.

“The community is working with us. To the best of my knowledge, we did not record any death. Property was demolished, yes, but those affected will be compensated,” Babatunde said.

The state government said the demolition is part of a broader statewide safety and environmental policy aimed at preventing disasters linked to unsafe settlements, famong other.

Babatunde, who spoke during a media briefing at Alausa, Ikeja, said the state’s intervention in Makoko was driven primarily by the need to protect lives.

According to him, similar clearance exercises had been carried out in several parts of Lagos State, stressing that Makoko was not singled out for enforcement.

Also, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akoshile, spoke at the briefing.

In his opening remark, Omotoso said the purpose of the briefing was to correct misconceptions about alleged demolitions in Makoko, stating that while residents have the right to express grievances through protest, such actions should not infringe on the rights of others or be based on misinformation.