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3 months ago
Overview
LASG Addresses Makoko Demolition Concerns, Unveils $2m Redevelopment Initiative
The Lagos State Government (LASG) on Monday held a media update to address the ongoing controversy surrounding the demolition of structures in the Makoko waterfront community, emphasizing safety concerns and announcing a $2 million redevelopment plan to support affected residents. NaijaChoice News report.
The briefing, which took place at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, featured key officials including representatives from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, who defended the exercise as necessary for public safety and urban planning. According to the government, the demolitions, which began in late December 2025, targeted illegal structures built under high-tension power lines and in violation of environmental regulations, displacing over 10,000 people in the historic fishing settlement.
During the update, officials clarified that the operation was not a wholesale demolition of Makoko but a targeted removal of unsafe buildings. “Makoko was not fully demolished; there was a targeted removal of structures that were built within the radius of high tension,” a state representative stated, addressing widespread misconceptions. They insisted that multiple notices had been issued since 2024, with extensions granted throughout 2025 to allow for voluntary compliance.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, through his spokespersons, accused some local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) of exploiting the situation for financial gain, claiming their opposition was profit-driven rather than rooted in genuine concern for residents. “The state government has no interest in destroying people’s homes without reason; this is strictly about public safety and infrastructure protection,” the governor was quoted as saying.
In response to the backlash, including reports of police using expired tear gas on protesters and allegations of excessive force, the LASG unveiled a $2 million redevelopment plan aimed at resettling displaced families and improving the area’s infrastructure. The initiative includes provisions for temporary housing, vocational training for fishermen, and environmental upgrades to mitigate flooding risks in the lagoon community.
https://www.nairaland.com/8611222/lasg-addresses-makoko-demolition-concerns
