Demolitions: Lagos Assembly seeks two-week reconciliation

The Lagos State House of Assembly has reaffirmed its directive halting further actions in Makoko and Shogunle communities, where demolitions had previously taken place.

The lawmakers restated their commitment to ensuring that reconciliatory efforts with the affected communities are completed within two weeks.

The House also adopted the recommendation of the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on E-GIS, Dr Olajide Babatunde, establishing a 250-metre setback from the Third Mainland Bridge and an additional 250-metre buffer beyond the power line corridor, effectively prohibiting all forms of development within the designated areas.

Speaking on Thursday during a committee meeting with community leaders from Makoko and Shogunle, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, represented by the Majority Leader, Noheem Adams, said the Assembly, in collaboration with the Lagos State Building Control Agency and the E-GIS Office, had directed each affected community to constitute a 10-member committee.

Adams urged stakeholders to unite and take decisive steps toward addressing the needs of residents, noting that the committees must include women, youths, students and traditional community leaders to help secure a lasting solution.

He added that the State Executive Council is finalising compensation arrangements for affected residents while dialogue continues.

Reacting after the meeting, the Chairman of Yaba Local Council Development Area, Bayo Adefuye, expressed satisfaction with the resolutions reached, stating that relief materials and palliatives had been distributed by both the state and local governments.

The chairman said the Assembly committee’s plan to conclude its assignment within two weeks appeared achievable, urging residents to comply strictly with the directives and warning community leaders against pursuing personal interests capable of undermining the resolution process.