Lagos Defends Makoko Clearance, Cites Safety Risks and Long-Term Redevelopment Plans

The Lagos State Government has defended its recent intervention in Makoko, stating that the action was taken primarily to safeguard lives, especially in areas situated beneath high-tension electricity lines.

Speaking at a press briefing held at Alausa, Ikeja, the Special Adviser to the Governor on eGIS and Urban Development, Olajide Babatunde, said the clearance exercise was part of a statewide safety policy and not targeted specifically at Makoko.

Babatunde explained that similar enforcement actions have been carried out in other parts of Lagos following fatal incidents linked to fallen power cables. According to him, clearing high-tension power corridors is a mandatory safety measure across the state.

“The enforcement in Makoko follows the same safety standards applied elsewhere in Lagos. It is not an isolated or selective action,” he said.

He revealed that the state government had previously considered several redevelopment proposals for Makoko, including a shoreline extension project. However, the initiative was shelved after environmental impact assessments conducted by experts, construction firms and international partners flagged serious ecological threats to the lagoon and marine ecosystem.

Following those findings, Babatunde said the government adopted the Water Cities Project, a more sustainable model designed to improve living conditions while preserving the fishing community’s way of life. The project focuses on sanitation, infrastructure development and environmental protection without displacing residents unnecessarily.

He disclosed that the Lagos State Government has committed $2 million to the initiative and is actively engaging international development partners for additional funding and technical assistance.

The Special Adviser also outlined the state’s broader urban regeneration approach, which emphasizes dialogue with affected communities, compensation and resettlement when relocation cannot be avoided.

He cited previous regeneration efforts in areas such as Okobaba, Adeniji-Adele and Dosunmu as examples where redevelopment was achieved through consultations and negotiated settlements with residents and traders.

Babatunde further noted that frequent fire outbreaks, building collapses and limited access for emergency responders in overcrowded settlements have made it necessary to enforce building regulations, minimum setbacks and land-pooling policies.

According to him, Lagos is working to align its urban development framework with international standards that uphold the right to safe and adequate housing, stressing that substandard living conditions pose long-term risks to residents.