During Monday’s on-the-spot inspection by members of the Lagos State House of Assembly over ongoing evictions in the region, residents and schoolchildren of the waterfront village of Makoko called for government action. The atmosphere was charged with emotion.
Lawmakers from the House Committee on Rules and Business paid a visit to the neighbourhood in response to rising outcry about the forcible removal of residents and destruction of their waterfront homes in the Makoko, Oko Agbon, and Sogunro communities.
Members of the Makoko Gunuvi Students Association welcomed them with a rendition of the national song and banners reading “Our community is our home, help us protect it,” among other messages begging the government to stop the demolitions.
A high-voltage power transmission line that runs down the shore is the source of the disagreement. Residents report that demolition exercises have gone well beyond the agreed-upon 100-meter safety corridor, with buildings as far away as 522 meters damaged, despite the government’s insistence that no constructions be built beneath the cables for safety reasons.
Chief Emmanuel Shemede, Baale of Oko Agbon, has called the situation a humanitarian catastrophe, stating that many locals have been forced to flee their homes.
“Women and children are among the many who have lost their homes and are sleeping in their canoes,” Shemede stated. Beyond our agreement, the authorities came and began dismantling our dwellings. Our goal is to find a solution, not to oppose the administration.
Kojo Phineas, another community spokesperson, urged the government to compensate impacted families and provide them temporary shelter immediately. During the destruction, he said, several locals were the victims of theft, abuse, and intimidation.
An escalating dispute amongst residents momentarily halted the inspection exercise, forcing lawmakers to bypass a certain area of the waterfront in an effort to prevent bloodshed and redirect their assessment to another location.
Members of the trip comprised officials from relevant government departments as well as Hon. Adebayo Adefuye, who is the Chairman of Yaba Local Government Area.
Following the visit, Hon. Noheem Adams, who is the chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, spoke to the attendees, telling them to keep calm and announcing that further demolition work will be temporarily halted until the Assembly makes a decision.
“This visit is strictly to assess the situation on ground,” Adams said, adding that they would not be able to make a decision today. What we’re saying is that everyone should stick with the current situation. It is only fair that the public honour the House of Assembly’s decisions if the administration does the same.
Uncertainty continues to be a highly uncomfortable experience for residents. Makoko stands for many coastal villages whose histories, cultures, and ways of life are intrinsically linked to the lagoon, as pointed out by Agbola, a student leader. According to him, the displaced families are requesting fair compensation and the reconstruction of their destroyed homes.
On Tuesday, February 10, the Lagos State House of Assembly is due to meet, and lawmakers are expected to discuss their findings and make a final decision regarding the impacted coastal neighbourhoods.