By Our Correspondent
National News – The Lagos State House of Assembly has recommended relocating residents affected by the demolition of waterfront communities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Sogunro to a new low-cost housing estate planned for Agbowa in Epe, Lagos State.
The proposal followed the adoption of a report presented during plenary by the House Committee on Rules and Business.
The committee’s report came after reviewing a petition submitted to the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, titled “Urgent Appeal Regarding Ongoing Mass Forced Eviction and Illegal Demolition Threatening Tens of Thousands in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Sogunro Communities.”
According to lawmakers, the committee held five separate meetings with community representatives and government officials before conducting an oversight visit to assess the situation.
Chairman of the committee, Noheem Adams, explained that the panel examined the impact of the demolitions and the living conditions of residents affected by the exercise.
Lawmakers noted that many families—including women, elderly residents, and children—lost homes and property during the demolition process.
The Assembly also observed that the waterfront communities depend heavily on fishing as their primary source of livelihood.
For decades, many residents have lived on the lagoon due to the nature of their work, making relocation a sensitive issue requiring careful planning.
Following its findings, the lawmakers recommended that the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, instruct the Special Adviser on E-GIS to verify the enumeration report submitted by the affected communities.
This verification, they said, would ensure that all displaced residents are properly documented before resettlement begins.
The Assembly further proposed that the remaining residents be moved to a government-developed low-cost housing estate in Agbowa, located within Epe.
Authorities believe the new location could allow residents to continue fishing while benefiting from improved housing and infrastructure.
The relocation recommendation follows controversial demolition operations carried out between late December 2025 and early January 2026 around Makoko and nearby waterfront settlements close to the Third Mainland Bridge.
The exercise displaced thousands of residents and sparked protests from community members and civil society organisations, who criticised the demolitions and demanded clear resettlement plans and compensation for those affected.
Officials of the Assembly say the relocation proposal is intended to provide a structured solution that balances urban development with the welfare and livelihoods of the affected communities.
