The Lagos State House of Assembly has ordered an immediate stop to demolitions in Makoko and nearby communities, assuring residents of compensation and inclusion.
The Lagos State House of Assembly has stepped into the ongoing Makoko demolition controversy, ordering an immediate suspension of all demolition activities across the Makoko waterfront and adjoining communities.
The directive follows growing public outrage, protests by displaced residents, and concerns over the humanitarian impact of the exercise.
The decision was announced by the Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee set up by the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, and Leader of the Assembly, Hon. Noheem Adams.
He disclosed the resolution shortly after a stakeholders’ engagement held at the Lateef Jakande Auditorium within the Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja.
Speaking on behalf of the Speaker and the 40 lawmakers of the Assembly, Adams made it clear that the legislature had unanimously resolved to stop further demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities.
According to him, all ministries, departments, and agencies involved in demolition exercises have been instructed to suspend operations with immediate effect.
The lawmaker stressed that the Assembly’s intervention was aimed at restoring calm and ensuring that affected communities are not sidelined in decisions that directly impact their lives and livelihoods.
He said the House would no longer tolerate actions that exclude residents from discussions on urban development and renewal.
A major concern raised by the Assembly was the composition and mandate of the task force responsible for carrying out the demolitions.
Adams disclosed that the House had requested a detailed list of task force members, including the criteria guiding their operations.
He emphasized that residents must be adequately represented and informed at every stage of the process.
“We want transparency, accountability, and inclusion. The people living in these communities deserve to be carried along,” Adams stated, adding that development must not come at the expense of human dignity.
Addressing residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro directly, the Assembly leader assured them that the legislature would stand by them.
He pledged that compensation would be provided to those whose homes and properties had already been demolished, while efforts would be made to prevent further displacement.
The Assembly’s action follows protests staged last week by hundreds of displaced Makoko residents who stormed the legislative complex to express their grievances.
The demonstration reportedly caused tension around the premises and resulted in the arrest of several activists.
Those arrested are currently undergoing trial, a development that has further fueled public debate about the handling of the Makoko demolition exercise.
Earlier, the Lagos State Government had defended the demolition, citing safety concerns.
Officials explained that many of the affected structures were built beneath high-tension power cables, posing serious risks to residents and the general public.
According to the government, the exercise was part of broader efforts to prevent avoidable disasters in densely populated waterfront settlements.
Despite this explanation, critics have argued that safety enforcement should not be carried out without adequate notice, consultation, or resettlement plans.
Civil society groups and human rights advocates have repeatedly called for a more humane approach to urban renewal in Lagos.
At the stakeholders’ meeting, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on E-GIS and Urban Renewal, Dr Babatunde Olajide, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to addressing the concerns raised by residents.
He disclosed that the government had made provisions for compensation for those affected by the demolition.
Dr Olajide revealed that Governor Sanwo-Olu had earmarked a $2 million fund as far back as 2021 for the redevelopment of the Makoko waterfront.
According to him, the project is designed to meet international standards and transform the area into a modern, well-planned water city.
He explained that the redevelopment plan forms part of a broader urban renewal strategy aimed at improving living conditions, enhancing safety, and promoting sustainable development across Lagos waterfront communities.
However, he acknowledged that the process must be handled with sensitivity.
“We have to do it with a human face,” Olajide said.
“This is not a project that started today. We have been working on it since 2021, and the intention is to ensure that development benefits everyone.”
The intervention by the Lagos State House of Assembly is widely seen as a critical turning point in the Makoko demolition saga.
Many residents and observers believe the legislative oversight could help balance the state’s development goals with the welfare of vulnerable communities.
As discussions continue, attention will now shift to how compensation will be implemented, how residents will be involved in future planning, and whether the promised redevelopment will translate into tangible improvements for those who have long called Makoko home.
For now, the Assembly’s directive has brought temporary relief to affected communities, offering hope that dialogue, rather than force, will shape the future of the Makoko waterfront.
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