Dare Babalola
The Lagos State Government has defended its decision to demolish structures in Makoko and other waterfront communities, stating that the action was necessary to protect lives and property.
Government officials, including Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, and Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, Olajide Abiodun Babatunde, made this clear during a recent X-space discussion, Ask Lagos.
According to Omotoso, the demolitions were driven primarily by public safety, environmental protection, and security considerations, particularly the dangers posed by illegal structures built 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, adding that the actions were preventive, aimed at protecting lives, averting disasters, and securing the future of Lagos.
The government has faced criticism for not providing adequate notice to residents before the demolitions, but Omotoso stated that the government had been engaging with affected communities for over five years.
He emphasised that the law stipulates a 250-meter setback from power lines, but residents had built structures underneath, posing a significant risk to lives and property.
Babatunde, who brought his expertise in e-GIS mapping and urban planning to the discussion, underscored the demolitions as part of a broader regeneration blueprint designed to transform Lagos into a resilient, investment-friendly megacity.
He pointed to successful precedents, such as the relocation of residents from Oko Baba to purpose-built estates equipped with modern amenities, noting that hundreds of housing units had been provided by the state to ensure that those affected were not left without options.
The government officials acknowledged the emotional toll of the demolitions but urged residents to focus on facts and collaborative solutions.
They maintained that inaction could lead to disasters far worse than displacement, and that decisions were anchored in master plans, safety codes, and environmental benchmarks rather than whims.
The Lagos State Government has been advised to ensure transparency and provide clear relocation timelines to affected residents, while developers and residents have been urged to adhere to due process to avoid such situations in the future.
