The Lagos State House of Assembly has ordered an immediate suspension of the ongoing demolition exercise in the Makoko waterfront and adjoining communities.
The directive was announced on Tuesday by the Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee set up by the Speaker of the House, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Hon. Noheem Adams, following a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande Auditorium within the Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja.
The decision comes days after hundreds of displaced Makoko residents staged a protest at the Assembly complex over the demolition, a development that reportedly led to heightened tension and the arrest of some activists, who are currently facing trial.
The Lagos State Government had earlier justified the demolition exercise on safety grounds, citing the construction of buildings beneath high-tension power cables.
Reading the committee’s resolution, Hon. Adams, who also serves as the Leader of the House, said all demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities must cease with immediate effect.
“On behalf of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly and all 40 members of the House, we are directing that all ministries should stop work on all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities from today until further notice,” Adams said.
He further stated that the House had requested details of the taskforce overseeing the exercise, stressing the need for transparency and community involvement.
“We want to see the list of the taskforce members and the criteria for their selection so that residents can be carried along in the process,” he added.
Hon. Adams also assured residents that those whose properties had already been demolished would be compensated.
Addressing community members present at the meeting, Adams sought their feedback on the committee’s work, prompting a unanimous response of satisfaction from the audience.
Earlier during the session, a member of the committee and Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Strategy, Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, emphasized the importance of effective communication between government agencies and affected communities.
“The most important point is communication. Even if you are not physically present, the people you intend to help must be aware of the plans you have for them,” Ogundipe said.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on E-GIS and Urban Renewal, Dr. Babatunde Olajide, disclosed that the state government would compensate residents whose properties were affected by the demolition.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Dr. Olajide revealed that the governor had earmarked $2 million since 2021 for the redevelopment of the Makoko waterfront to meet international standards.
“We have been working on this since 2021. The redevelopment must be done with a human face. Those affected will be compensated, and enumeration is ongoing. The first priority is to ensure safety,” he said.
Community leaders present at the meeting expressed satisfaction with the Assembly’s intervention, noting that they were no longer interested in the involvement of non-governmental organisations in the matter.
The Baale of Makoko, Shogunro, Iwaya LCDA, High Chief Yusuf Sagra, said the engagement had brought relief to residents.
“We came to explain our petition to the House, and we are happy with the assurance of peace given to us,” he said.
Another community leader, Chief Orioye Ogungbure, described the deliberations as a positive example of democratic governance.
“This is democracy. Government should always listen when people raise grievances,” he said.
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