Why we demolished buildings in Makoko, others ― Lagos govt

The Lagos State Government has described its recent demolition exercise in Makoko and other communities as efforts geared towards protecting live and property of the citizens.

The state government said the intervention was also to ensure environmental safety and sustainable urban development across Lagos.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, made this known via a statement issued after an engagement designed to foster dialogue between the state government and residents on Sunday, January 25, 2026.

Omotosho described the demolitions in the affected settlements as necessary interventions aimed at preventing disasters, improving safety, and repositioning the state as a resilient and sustainable megacity for future generations.

Responding to criticisms describing the exercise as anti-poor, Omotoso said “the actions were driven by safety, environmental protection and security concerns, particularly structures erected beneath high-tension power lines and along critical waterways.”

The commissioner stated: “No responsible government anywhere in the world can allow people to live directly under high-tension cables or obstruct vital waterways.

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“These actions are not punitive. They are preventive to protect lives, avert disasters, and secure the future of Lagos.”

Omotoso disclosed that the affected communities had been engaged for over five years, noting that laws require buildings to be at least 250 metres away from power lines.

He added that fallen cables into waterways could cause catastrophic disasters.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, Olajide Babatunde, said the demolitions followed safety assessments and longstanding urban planning regulations.

Babatunde noted that the demolitions align with a broader urban regeneration blueprint.

He listed successful relocations, such as Oko Baba, where residents were moved to modern estates, and urged adherence to planning regulations to avoid future conflicts.

The Star