Lagos Govt, Assembly Okay Suspension Of Demolition, Eviction Of Makoko Residents

Amid the controversy trailing the demolitions and evictions of residents of Makoko waterfront in Lagos, the state House of Assembly, the state government and other critical stakeholders in Makoko have agreed to stop the exercise.

The speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, who revealed this after a meeting held at Jakande Hall in the Assembly Complex yesterday, said a task force comprising all the stakeholders would be set up to investigate the allegations of the petitioners on the modalities used for the demolition.

Represented by the chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Rules and Business, Hon. Nojeem Adams, the speaker said members of the panel would undertake an on-the-spot visit to Makoko to ascertain the allegations on different measures and yardsticks used for the demolition.

On compensation and the provision of alternative accommodation for affected victims, he said that it falls within the executive arm of the government’s jurisdiction to make the necessary provisions.

Obasa also cautioned that the demolition is not about making people suffer but rather to prevent a future catastrophe arising from building structures near high-tension wires.

The Special Adviser on E-GIS and Urban Renewal to Lagos State governor, Dr Babatunde Olajide, restated that the demolition exercise has been put on hold.

He noted that the exercise was undertaken to ensure the safety of the people, adding that plans are underway to compensate the affected victims.

Chairman of Yaba Local Government, Bayo Adefuye, noted that some palliatives were distributed to the affected victims as remedial measures to ameliorate their effects.