The Lagos State Government has defended the demolition of structures in Makoko and other waterfront communities, saying the exercise was carried out to protect lives and property. Officials who spoke during Ask Lagos, a weekly discussion on X, said the actions were based on security, environmental and safety concerns.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the demolitions were not targeted at poor residents but were aimed at removing illegal structures built under high tension power lines and along critical waterways. He said the government had engaged affected communities for several years, adding that regulations require buildings to be sited far away from power lines to prevent disasters.
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Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, Olajide Abiodun Babatunde, said the demolitions form part of a broader urban regeneration plan for Lagos. He said previous relocations, including from Oko Baba, showed that alternatives had been provided, and urged residents and developers to comply with planning regulations.
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