Gbenga Omotoso has reaffirmed that the ongoing demolitions in Makoko are primarily motivated by safety considerations, advising residents against jeopardizing their lives for the sake of convenience or livelihood.
The Lagos State Government has once again defended its demolition efforts in Makoko and nearby waterfront communities, stressing that these actions are intended to protect human life. This response comes amid increasing criticism regarding the displacement of residents and the plans for their relocation, as proposed by the Lagos State House of Assembly, which suggested moving affected communities, including Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Sogunro, to Agbowa within the Epe Local Government Area.
Their recommendation was made after a series of protests and petitions from locals followed the government's demolition of what it termed "unauthorized structures" around the Third Mainland Bridge, resulting in significant displacements.
In an interview with ARISE News on Sunday, Lagos State's Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, emphasized the government's commitment to protecting lives, especially for those residing in hazardous conditions.
"When it comes to life and livelihood, it is unclear why some individuals would choose livelihood over life," he remarked.
Omotoso highlighted that many of the demolished structures were situated under high-tension electricity lines and near essential infrastructure, presenting serious dangers to inhabitants.
"This is fundamentally about life, ensuring safety, security, and avoiding taking needless risks with human lives. People are constructing homes near electricity lines that should not be near habitation and are building adjacent to the Third Mainland Bridge," he noted.
He warned that maintaining residents in such perilous conditions could lead to catastrophic outcomes and cautioned that, if such disasters were to occur, the same government that is currently attempting to resolve the issue would be held accountable.
"If we allow residents to remain beneath high-tension wires, God forbid something occurs, it will be that same government, which is trying to address the situation now, that people will expect to take responsibility," he said.
Regarding the relocation issue, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Urban Renewal, indicated that the administration is exploring various strategies, such as redevelopment and potential resettlement plans.
"What we've done is reorganize the community through a design," he explained.
He discussed projects like shoreline reclamation and the Water Cities initiative aimed at building floating homes, taking cues from the Netherlands.
"The second option we decided to pursue was the Water Cities Project, which entails constructing floating houses," Babatunde elaborated.
He referenced the successful relocation of the Okobaba community to Agbowa, where residents were moved at no financial expense.
"We have successfully transitioned them to Agbowa, where we provided homes free of charge," he stated.
In addressing the worries of fishermen in Makoko who fear losing their livelihoods, Babatunde refuted the notion that relocation would hinder their trades.
"It is easy to commute from Lagos to Agbowa since there is water available there as well. Some fishermen have also relocated to Agbowa, so it's inaccurate to claim they cannot continue their businesses there," he said.
He clarified that the demolition was not a sweeping measure across Makoko but specifically targeted illegal and dangerous infrastructures.
"Makoko spans 51 hectares; it remains intact. We are discussing only the areas where encroachments have occurred," Babatunde explained.
He asserted that the affected individuals had no legal rights to build structures in the areas that the government has cleared.
"The individuals impacted did not have authorization to occupy those areas. They do not own the land," he stated.
On the subject of compensation, Babatunde indicated that the government has made provisions for those displaced.
"Compensation is part of our strategy to support those impacted by the decision to remove them from hazardous locations," he affirmatively noted.
He stressed that this intervention was crucial for the safety of the residents.
"Our intention was to safeguard them from potential harm," he added.
While the Lagos State Assembly has endorsed relocation as a long-term strategy, Babatunde mentioned that no specific timeline is in place for this objective.
"We ultimately believe Makoko should be relocated; however, the assembly has not specified a date for this process," he stated.
The government has also dismissed accusations that the demolitions signify hostility towards residents, characterizing the initiative as part of a broader urban renewal strategy.
"This is not an expression of malevolence from the government. What we are discussing is urban renewal," Omotoso concluded.
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