- Makoko
BY OUR CORRESPONDENT
CITY CHIEFS in Lagos have come out swinging after a wave of demolitions in the world-famous Makoko waterfront, insisting the move is a “life-saving” necessity.
Addressing a packed press gallery at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Dr. Olajide Babatunde—Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu—revealed that the bulldozers were sent in to prevent a “catastrophe.”
The government’s main target? Homes built precariously under high-tension power lines that have turned parts of the community into a ticking time bomb.
’We Won’t Risk Lives’
”We need to do what we have to do,” Dr. Babatunde told reporters. “If we don’t, we are endangering lives. Clearing high-tension corridors is a safety requirement across the whole of Lagos.”
The move follows a series of tragic incidents across the city where fallen power cables have proved fatal. Officials were adamant that Makoko—famed for its stilted houses on the lagoon—wasn’t being singled out, but was part of a “safety first” blitz.
Cash on the Table
But it’s not all about the wrecking ball. The Governor has already put his money where his mouth is, setting aside $2 million (£1.58m) since 2021 to transform the area into a world-class “Water City.”
The plan is to ditch “ecological risks” in favour of a sustainable fishing community that meets UN standards for sanitation and infrastructure.
Dr. Babatunde revealed:
Compensation: Residents losing their property will be paid out.
Success Stories: Thousands have already been successfully moved from other slums like Okobaba into 300 new houses in Agbowa.
International Backing: The UN has pledged a staggering $8 million in support, though officials admit global funding squeezes mean the city is now calling on private business to help bridge the gap.
Protest Warning
The clearing sparked protests from locals who claimed the government was being “anti-people” and “emboldened” by the fact the Governor is in his final term.
However, Information Commissioner Gbenga Omotoso hit back, saying that while the right to protest is “fundamental,” it shouldn’t be used to block roads or stop people from getting to work.
”People are entitled to their emotions,” Omotoso said, “but there are facts and figures.”
The message from Alausa is clear: the shacks are going, but a “Water City” fit for the future is on the horizon.
