The Coalition for Good Governance, CGG, has demanded urgent and decisive action over the controversial demolitions in Makoko, insisting that all stakeholders must embrace sincerity and prioritise public safety above politics.
Addressing journalists in Lagos on Wednesday, the coalition said the ongoing dispute between residents of Makoko and the Lagos State Government has exposed deep trust deficits that must be urgently addressed to prevent avoidable tragedy.
CGG queries blame game, insists on public safety
Mr. Nelson Ekujumi, a social commentator while speaking on behalf of the group said it had watched “with bated breath” the blame game between the government and residents of the waterfront settlement.
“For the records, we are all living witnesses to the fact that parts of the Makoko community were demolished by the Lagos State Government in 2005 and 2012 as part of its efforts to clean up the community because of its threat to human and public safety.”
Describing Makoko as one of Lagos’ most controversial urban spaces, CGG acknowledged that the settlement, with an estimated population between 80,000 and 250,000 residents, faces enormous environmental and safety challenges.
The group noted that successive administrations have consistently labelled Makoko an environmental and security hazard, citing structures erected under high-tension power lines, flooding, fire risks and unplanned development as justification for intervention.
“From a regulatory standpoint, these concerns are valid, in order and something ought to be done to correct the observed anomalies,” the group said.
Residents accused of reneging on agreement
According to CGG, the state government had entered into discussions with community leaders and residents, reaching an agreement for the voluntary removal of structures violating approved distances from high-tension power lines.
However, the group alleged that residents failed to fulfill their part of the agreement.
“From our findings and facts on the ground, the residents of Makoko reneged on the agreement reached by not willingly removing structures as promised that violate the distance from the high-tension power lines and constituted threats to life and environmental nuisance, hence forcing the government to move in, in fulfilment of its primary responsibility, which is to save lives and guarantee public safety,” CGG stated.
While commiserating with families who lost homes and livelihoods in the demolitions, the coalition maintained that government must not abdicate its constitutional responsibility to protect lives.
“Doing otherwise will be tantamount to the abdication of its primary responsibility, which is condemnable,” the group added.
CGG however, commended the Lagos State House of Assembly for intervening by constituting a committee of all parties involved and ordering an immediate suspension of the demolitions.
It also welcomed the state government’s promise to enumerate affected properties and handle the situation “with a human face.”
Demands
Amid the controversy surrounding Makoko demolitions, CGG issued firm demands to all stakeholders.
The Coalition called for the immediate implementation of the government’s urban development programme for Makoko to avert “a clear and avoidable disaster.”
It also urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu not to rescind efforts to clear dangerous structures under high-tension power lines.
“It will be of great advantage to the people of Makoko, Lagos State and Nigerians as a whole if people are evacuated alive than moving thousands of dead bodies if a single string of that high-tension power line drops inside the Lagoon, God forbid,” Ekujumi warned.
Furthermore, the Coalition demanded “utmost sincerity from all parties in the new arrangements going forward,” noting that past engagements exposed “lack of sincerity, trust and communication lacuna, which has been exploited for interests other than the good of the people of Makoko in particular and Lagos State in general.
