Stakeholders, Govt. Agree on Self-Enumeration of Demolished Buildings in Makoko
Stakeholders from Makoko, Sogunro, and Oko Agbon communities in Lagos State have reached an agreement with the state government to constitute a 10-man committee to conduct a self-enumeration of buildings affected by recent demolitions.
The committee is expected to complete the exercise and submit its report within two weeks to the Lagos State House of Assembly Adhoc Committee on Rules and Business. Residents of the affected areas were also advised to refrain from rebuilding demolished structures until further notice.
The resolutions formed part of a five-point agreement reached on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the House of Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja.
Other key agreements included the regeneration of Makoko communities without displacing residents, as well as a commitment by the Special Adviser to the Governor of Geographic Information Service (GIS), Dr. Olajide Babatunde, to provide an auto-photo delineating the demolition boundaries within one month.
Following separate meetings with community representatives and government officials, the Majority Leader of the House and Chairman of the Adhoc Committee, Hon. Noheem Adams, urged all parties to abide by the resolutions. He emphasized the need for transparency in the self-enumeration process, noting that the community’s data would be cross-checked with government records.
Adams directed the Makoko stakeholders to submit the list of the 10-man committee to the House once constituted. He also highlighted that the proposed Water City project by the state government is designed to benefit the affected residents.
Earlier, Dr. Babatunde revealed that the state government had concluded plans for the Water City project as part of broader efforts to regenerate the area. He said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is concerned about overcrowding and poor living conditions in the communities and assured that affected residents would be compensated.
The Baale of Sogunro community, Chief Abraham Mesu, and the Baale of Makoko Waterfront, Chief Emmanuel Shemade, acknowledged the impact of the demolitions but expressed their willingness to collaborate with the government.
Chairman of Yaba Local Council Development Area, Bayo Adefuye, praised the Assembly’s intervention, describing the Water City project as a landmark initiative that would improve living standards while ensuring residents remain the primary beneficiaries.
