.says decision taken to protect lives, property in the state
By Our Reporter
Lagos State Government has defended its decision to demolish structures in Makoko and other communities, saying the action is to protect lives and property in the state.
The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso and Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, Olajide Abiodun Babatunde, made this submission, while featuring on "Ask Lagos," a weekly X-space discussion aimed at creating engagements between the government and residents.
Omotoso and Babatunde maintained that the contentious demolitions in Makoko and other waterfront communities were essential steps toward a safer, more sustainable megacity, contrary to mindset of critics who termed the move as "anti-poor," "class cleansing" and "unnecessary" as inaction could lead to disasters far worse than displacement.
Speaking on the issue, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Omotoso, said the demolition was not against the poor or unnecessary, adding that the demolitions were driven primarily by public safety, environmental protection, and security considerations, particularly the dangers posed by illegal structures built beneath high-tension power lines and along critical waterways.
“No responsible government anywhere in the world can allow people to live directly under high-tension cables or obstruct vital waterways. These actions are not punitive. They are preventive — to protect lives, avert disasters, and secure the future of Lagos," the commissioner said.
This was just as Omotoso dismissed criticisms against government that it never gave notice to the affected communities, describing such as not true.
According to him, the state government has been engaging them for over five years, noting that the law stipulates that buildings must be 250 metres away from power lines, but were instead"built under the power lines, and no government will accept that," even as he said the community was begging that the setback be reduced from 100 metres to 50.
"The government has been engaging them for over five years. The law stipulates that buildings must be 250 metres away from power lines, but they are built under the power lines, and no government will accept that. Imagine one line dropping into the lagoon. The disaster will be incredible," Omotoso said.
On allegations that there were casualties, heavy-handed enforcement, lack of compensation, and unclear relocation timelines, Omotoso noted that speculation only fuels division, urging for need to focus on facts and collaborative solutions.
"We understand the pain this causes, but speculation only fuels division. Let's focus on facts and collaborative solutions," the commissioner said.
Also speaking, Babatunde, while bringing his expertise in e-GIS mapping and urban planning, underscored the demolitions as part of a broader regeneration blueprint designed to transform Lagos into a resilient, investment-friendly megacity.
He pointed to successful precedents, such as the relocation of residents from Oko Baba to purpose-built estates equipped with modern amenities.
Babatunde said hundreds of housing units had been provided by the state, in a move to ensuring that those affected were not left without options, stressing that decisions were anchored in master plans, safety codes, and environmental benchmarks rather than whims.
He advised developers and residents to adhere to due process to avoid these ongoing situations.
"We must follow regulations to avoid these situations; urban development is about building sustainably for the future. Transparency tools like e-GIS platforms allow residents to verify zoning and setback requirements in advance, reducing future conflicts," he said.
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