Lagos assembly concludes probe into Makoko, Sogunro, Oko-Agbon demolitions

The Lagos State House of Assembly has concluded its investigation into demolitions in three waterfront communities, with affected residents presenting differing demands.
Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Noheem Adams, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting with representatives of the affected communities on Thursday in Lagos.
The affected communities are Makoko, Sogunro and Oko-Agbon.
Mr Adams, who is also majority leader, said the committee would submit its findings and the communities’ positions to the speaker and the 40-member assembly.
He expressed concern over the shifting positions of community representatives during the discussions.
Mr Adams recalled that the communities had initially agreed to compensation but later changed their stance, describing the development as a setback to reconciliation efforts.
At the committee’s final meeting on Thursday, representatives of the three communities presented differing views on compensation and relocation for displaced residents.
The Alase of the Egun community in Makoko, Francis Agoyon, said affected residents should be permanently relocated rather than compensated.
Similarly, the Baale of Makoko, Emmanuel Shemade, said residents preferred relocation to financial compensation.
However, he urged the government to clearly state where displaced residents would be relocated and define the demolition boundaries in Makoko, Sogunro and Oko-Agbon.
In contrast, Sogunro representative, Bola Ayande, said the community preferred financial compensation.
Mr Ayande suggested that each affected resident should receive about ₦10 million, noting that an average bamboo house in the area costs about ₦4 million.
Vice chairman of the Fishermen Association, Tobi Kalejaiye, said the situation had created anxiety among residents.
“The people are jittery about the situation. Whatever the traditional rulers say will be the final decision,” he said.
Leaders of the three communities, however, agreed that government should demolish any structures rebuilt on the affected sites.
Officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency told the committee that some demolished structures had been reconstructed.
They requested permission from the assembly to remove the new constructions.
Earlier, the assembly directed the communities to form 10-member committees comprising women, youths, students and traditional leaders.
The move is aimed at resolving disputes and addressing the needs of displaced residents.
The three communities also submitted their reports to the Assembly Secretariat.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Heading 1
Lagos assembly advances anti-begging bill as Sanwo-Olu govt cracks down on beggars
The Lagos State House of Assembly on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to prohibit street begging across the state.

Economy
Nigerian investors gain N3.45 trillion as equities market surges
The Nigerian stock market sustained its bullish rally on Tuesday, with investors gaining N3.450 trillion, driven by renewed buying interest in large- and mid-cap stocks.

Showbiz
Justin Bieber joins Madonna, Shakira, BTS for 2026 World Cup half-time show
Beyond entertainment, the initiative between FIFA and Global Citizen aims to raise $100 million to expand access to education and football.

Economy
ExxonMobil’s Usan project to generate $1 billion for Nigeria
ESSO Exploration and Production Nigeria says its $1 billion Usan Infill Project in Oil Mining Lease 138 is expected to generate $1.2 billion in revenue.

Economy
Middle East Crisis: IMF, World Bank seek stronger global cooperation
The institutions made the call in a joint statement on Wednesday following a Tuesday meeting of their high-level coordination group.

Lagos
Lagos assembly endorses Tinubu’s state police move
Speaker Mudashiru Obasa said ongoing security measures had strengthened efforts against kidnapping, terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes.





