Lagos defends Makoko demolitions

The Lagos State Government has said it engaged residents of Makoko and other waterfront communities for several years before demolishing structures in the areas, dismissing claims that the exercise was carried out without notice.

According to a statement posted on the official X page of the Lagos State Government, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, stated this during Ask Lagos, a weekly X-space engagement between the state government and residents, where officials defended the contentious demolitions.

Omotoso said the demolitions were aimed at protecting lives and property, as well as addressing security concerns, insisting that the action was not targeted at the poor.

Also speaking at the session was the Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, Olajide Abiodun Babatunde, who said the exercise was part of broader efforts to make Lagos a safer and more sustainable megacity.

Responding to criticisms that the demolitions were “anti-poor” and “unnecessary,” Omotoso said public safety, environmental protection and security considerations informed the government’s decision, particularly the dangers posed by structures erected beneath high-tension power lines and along critical waterways.

“No responsible government anywhere in the world can allow people to live directly under high-tension cables or obstruct vital waterways,” he said. “These actions are not punitive. They are preventive — to protect lives, avert disasters, and secure the future of Lagos.”

Addressing complaints over lack of notice, Omotoso said the government had been engaging affected communities for more than five years, noting that existing laws require buildings to be sited at least 250 metres away from power lines.

The law stipulates that buildings must be 250 metres away from power lines, but they are built under the power lines, and no government will accept that. Imagine one line dropping into the lagoon. The disaster will be incredible,” he said.

He added that some residents had appealed for the setback requirement to be reduced, saying the community was asking that it be reduced from 100 metres to 50 metres.

Babatunde said the demolitions were part of an urban regeneration blueprint designed to transform Lagos into a resilient and investment-friendly city.

He cited the relocation of residents from Oko Baba to purpose-built estates with modern amenities, adding that hundreds of housing units had been provided by the state to ensure affected residents were not left without alternatives.

Babatunde said decisions on demolitions were guided by master plans, safety codes and environmental standards, advising residents and developers to comply with planning regulations.

“We must follow regulations to avoid these situations; urban development is about building sustainably for the future,” he said.

During the session, some participants raised concerns over alleged casualties, heavy-handed enforcement, lack of compensation and unclear relocation timelines.

In response, Omotoso said, “We understand the pain this causes, but speculation only fuels division. Let’s focus on facts and collaborative solutions.”

Babatunde added that transparency tools such as the state’s e-GIS platforms allow residents to verify zoning and setback requirements ahead of development, helping to prevent future conflicts.

Despite arguments by some residents and non-governmental organisations that the demolitions amounted to “class cleansing,” the state government maintained that failure to act could lead to disasters worse than displacement.

culled from punch