The Lagos State Government has insisted that its recent demolition of structures in Makoko and other waterfront settlements was necessary to safeguard residents from looming environmental and safety hazards.
Government officials made the clarification during Ask Lagos, a weekly X-Space engagement designed to deepen interaction between the state government and residents.
Speaking at the session, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr.Gbenga Omotoso, dismissed claims that the exercise was targeted at the urban poor, describing such allegations as misleading.
According to him, the demolitions were carried out primarily to prevent environmental disasters and address security concerns arising from illegal structures erected beneath high-tension power lines and along critical waterways.
“No responsible government anywhere in the world can allow people to live directly under high-tension cables or obstruct vital waterways,” Omotoso said. “These actions are not punitive; they are preventive, to protect lives, avert disasters and secure the future of Lagos.”
Omotoso also rejected allegations that affected communities were not adequately informed, noting that the state had engaged residents over several years.
“The government has been engaging these communities for over five years. The law stipulates a minimum setback of 250 metres from power lines, yet some buildings were constructed directly under them,” he said.
He warned that a fallen power line into the lagoon could trigger a major catastrophe, adding that some residents had even appealed for the required setback to be reduced.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, Mr. Olajide Babatunde, said the demolitions form part of a broader urban regeneration and resilience plan aimed at making Lagos a safer and more sustainable megacity.
Babatunde cited previous resettlement efforts, including the relocation of residents from Oko Baba to newly developed housing estates with modern facilities, as evidence that the government does not abandon displaced residents.
“Hundreds of housing units have been provided by the state to ensure that those affected are not left without options,” he said, stressing that all actions were guided by approved master plans, safety regulations and environmental standards.
He urged residents and developers to comply with planning regulations and make use of the state’s e-GIS platforms to verify land-use, zoning and setback requirements before developing properties.
“Urban development is about building sustainably for the future. Following due process helps prevent avoidable conflicts and losses,” Babatunde said.
During the interactive session, some participants raised concerns over alleged casualties, enforcement methods, compensation and the emotional impact of the demolitions.
Responding, Omotoso acknowledged the pain caused by the exercise but cautioned against speculation and misinformation.
“We understand the pain this causes, but speculation only fuels division. We should focus on facts and collaborative solutions,” he said.
While some residents and civil society groups have described the demolitions as “class cleansing,” the state government maintained that failure to act could expose residents to disasters with consequences far more severe than displacement.
