Residents of Makoko, the historic waterfront settlement on the Lagos Lagoon, on Thursday staged an emotional protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly, condemning the ongoing demolition of their homes by state government officials.
The protesters said the exercise has gone far beyond the agreed safety limits, leaving hundreds displaced and fearful of further destruction.
The demonstration comes amid confusion and growing distress in the community, as residents insist they were initially informed that the demolition would be restricted to structures located within a mandatory 30-metre safety setback from high-tension power lines that cut across Makoko and the Third Mainland Bridge axis.
However, community leaders and the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) allege that the demolition has since extended far beyond that boundary.
“They have gone beyond 100 metres; some areas are nearing 200 metres. They lied to us,” said CAPPA representative, Zikora Ibeh, while addressing protesters and journalists at the Assembly complex. Her remarks reflected the prevailing sense of betrayal among residents.
Hundreds of protesters, many already rendered homeless, marched with placards appealing to President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The messages read: “Please hear our cry, limit demolition to 100 metres,” “Spare our homes, save our families,” and “We beg for mercy.”
Seeking legislative intervention, the protesters presented their complaints to the Lagos State House of Assembly. Ogundipe S. Olukayode, a member of the House, addressed the crowd on behalf of the Speaker, acknowledging their concerns and assuring them that their petitions would be formally presented for deliberation.
He urged calm and promised that the Assembly would look into the matter with urgency.
Community spokesperson, Jude Ojo, made an emotional appeal to government officials, reminding them of Makoko’s political loyalty over the years.
“Makoko has always stood with the government during elections,” Ojo said. “We are pleading that the government should stand with us now in our time of need.”
The protest once again brings to the fore the long-standing tension between urban development, public safety regulations, and the rights of vulnerable communities in Lagos. While the state government has justified the initial demolitions on safety grounds due to the proximity of high-tension power lines, the alleged expansion of the demolition zone has sparked accusations of broken promises and excessive force.
Residents are now calling for an immediate halt to demolitions beyond the originally stated 30-metre setback and are awaiting decisive action from the Lagos State House of Assembly and the state government to address their displacement and secure the future of their community.
Comments