Residents of demolished Makoko, others to be resettled at Epe

The Lagos State House of Assembly has proposed the relocation of residents displaced by the demolition of waterfront settlements of Makoko, Sogunro and Oko Agbon to a new settlement in Agbowa, Epe Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Noheem Adams, the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Rules and Business, made this known while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos.

The affected communities were demolished after the state government tagged them “illicit structures”.

The communities protested the demolition and submitted a petition to the state assembly, prompting lawmakers to call for the suspension of the exercise while the matter was investigated.

Adams said the relocation was necessary because the demolition had resulted in the displacement of numerous residents, including the elderly, the sick, women, and children, as well as the destruction of homes and other properties.

He further observed that the affected waterfront communities largely depended on fishing as their primary source of livelihood and had historically resided on the water due to the nature of their occupation.

Adams said that, following the demolition, living conditions within Makoko and surrounding areas deteriorated significantly, leading to environmental and health hazards, as well as heightened safety and security concerns.

Adams, who is also the Majority Leader of the House, said: “There was a resolution by the House during plenary, following a petition addressed to the Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, by the residents of the communities.

“Based on our findings, we recommended that the governor should direct the Special Adviser on E-GIS to vet the enumeration report submitted by the Makoko, Sogunro and Oko-Agbon communities.

“The committee also recommended that the government relocate the remaining residents of Makoko, Sogunro and Oko-Agbon to a proposed low-cost housing estate.

“This estate is to be constructed in Agbowa area of Lagos State, Epe, where they can continue their fishing activities.

“In addition, we also advised that the government should involve the Oloto of the Otto Family in the construction of the Water City Project, recognising them as the original owners of the land.”

Adams explained that the committee arrived at its conclusions after engaging the petitioners in five separate meetings.

According to him, it also conducted an oversight visit with relevant government officials, agencies, and representatives of the affected communities.