The Lagos State House of Assembly has ordered the immediate suspension of ongoing demolitions in Makoko following protests by residents and advocacy groups over the exercise.
The decision was announced on Tuesday after a meeting between lawmakers and representatives of the Makoko community at the Assembly Complex in Alausa, Ikeja.
Issuing the directive, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Noheem Adams, said the Assembly was treating the matter with utmost seriousness and would ensure that the concerns of affected residents are addressed.
“On behalf of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, and all honourable members, we direct that all ongoing demolitions in Makoko be stopped,” Adams said.
He explained that the Assembly would engage relevant ministries and agencies to review the circumstances surrounding the demolitions and ensure that all stakeholders are properly consulted.
Adams also demanded transparency in the process, calling for a full disclosure of the taskforce handling the exercise, including the list of its members and the criteria used in their engagement.
“We want to see the list of the taskforce that was constituted and the criteria for their selection, so that residents can be fully carried along,” he said.
Assuring residents of the Assembly’s support, Adams pledged that demolitions would not continue and that compensation would be paid to all those whose properties had already been affected.
“As your representatives, we assure you that demolitions will stop, and compensation will be provided for all demolished properties,” he added.
Also speaking, Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, a member of the ad-hoc committee set up on the issue, stressed the need for clear and timely communication, noting that residents must be adequately informed before any relocation or redevelopment plans are implemented.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on E-GIS and Urban Renewal, Babatunde Olajide, disclosed that the state government had earmarked $2 million since 2021 for the transformation of Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.
Olajide said the enumeration of affected properties is ongoing and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to handling the redevelopment process with a human face, prioritising residents’ safety and fair compensation.
