Officials in Lagos State have reassured Makoko residents that recent demolitions were safety-driven and that the wider regeneration project will benefit locals without forcing anyone to relocate.
The Lagos State Government said it has allocated $2 million as counterpart funding for the Makoko regeneration, with an expected $8 million from United Nations agencies to support the project.
Speaking to journalists at the Alausa Secretariat, Special Adviser to the Governor on eGIS and Urban Renewal, Babatunde Olajide, explained that recent demolitions targeted only structures located directly under high-tension power lines, which posed serious risks to residents’ safety.
Olajide emphasized that the regeneration programme is being implemented in partnership with UN agencies and includes extensive consultations with community stakeholders to ensure inclusiveness. The project aims to address poor sanitation, inadequate infrastructure, and environmental degradation, including waste being discharged into the lagoon.
“Makoko, in its current state, suffers from poor living conditions. Our goal is to create a safe and decent environment for existing residents, not to replace them with wealthier communities”, he said.
He confirmed that residents affected by demolitions near high-tension lines will be compensated, and clarified that the core Makoko fishing settlement was not impacted by the safety-driven actions.
The announcement was made alongside the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho and General Manager of the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA), Saheed Animashaun, who stressed that all urban renewal initiatives in the state are human-centered and designed to protect communities.
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