An emotional scene unfolded in the Makoko waterfront community on Monday as residents, including schoolchildren, pleaded for government intervention during a visit by members of the Lagos State House of Assembly. The lawmakers were conducting an on-the-spot assessment following ongoing evictions and demolitions in the area.
The delegation, comprising members of the House Committee on Rules and Business, arrived in response to growing concerns over forced evictions affecting the Makoko, Oko Agbon, and Sogunro waterfront settlements.
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Upon their arrival, lawmakers were greeted by the Makoko Gunuvi Students Association. The students sang the national anthem and held placards with messages like, “Our community is our home, help us protect it,” urging the government to stop the demolitions.
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The core of the conflict is a high-voltage power line that runs across the waterfront. While the government maintains that no structures should be built under the power cables for safety, residents claim the demolitions have extended well beyond the agreed-upon 100-metre safety zone. Some allege that buildings as far as 522 metres from the power line have been destroyed.
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Chief Emmanuel Shemede, the Baale of Oko Agbon, described the situation as a humanitarian crisis, stating that many residents have been left without homes.
“Many people are now homeless and are sleeping in their canoes, including women and children,” Shemede said. “The government came and started demolishing our houses beyond what we agreed on. We are not fighting the government; we are only seeking a solution.”
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Another community representative, Kojo Phineas, appealed for immediate relief for displaced families, including compensation and temporary housing. He also made allegations of intimidation, brutality, and theft by officials during the demolition exercises.
The inspection was briefly interrupted by a dispute among residents, which forced the lawmakers to bypass a section of the waterfront to avoid potential violence before continuing their assessment.
The legislative team was accompanied by Hon. Adebayo Adefuye, Chairman of Yaba Local Government Area, and officials from various government agencies.
After the tour, Hon. Noheem Adams, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, called for calm and announced a temporary halt to further demolitions until the Assembly reaches a decision.
“We cannot take a decision today because this visit is strictly to assess the situation on the ground,” Adams stated. “However, we are appealing to everyone that the status quo should be maintained. If the government respects the decision of the House of Assembly, the people must also respect it.”
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For the community, the future remains uncertain. A student leader named Agbola highlighted that Makoko is a network of interconnected communities whose history and livelihoods are tied to the lagoon. He said residents are demanding that their demolished homes be rebuilt and that displaced families receive proper compensation.
The lawmakers are scheduled to discuss their findings during a session of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday, February 10, where a final resolution on the matter is expected.
