Lagos govt reassures commitment to urban renewal, public safety in Makoko
The Lagos State government has reiterated that the ongoing actions in Makoko are driven by the urgent need to protect lives, uphold the rule of law, and advance comprehensive urban renewal initiatives aimed at improving living conditions for residents.
Addressing recent concerns and public discourse surrounding Makoko on a national television network monitored in Lagos, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, clarified that the current intervention is not a conflict between the rich and the poor, but a necessary step toward ensuring safety, legality, and humane living standards for all Lagosians.
The commissioner confirmed that the government has been in continuous engagement with the United Nations (UN) regarding the future of Makoko.
The UN, he noted, has expressed interest in the renewal strategy for the area and has indicated its willingness to support the initiative. Both parties agree that certain sections of Makoko, particularly areas under high-tension power lines, are unsafe and unsuitable for habitation.
Omotoso revealed that the government has committed counterpart funding toward the renewal plan and has held several meetings with international partners, including engagements as recent as this week, to ensure a sustainable and humane redevelopment process.
“This is about urban renewal. It is about better living conditions for our people. Government cannot and will not allow residents to remain in environments that pose imminent danger to their lives,” he noted. He added that no human being should reside under high-tension electricity wires due to severe health and safety risks.
Speaking further, the commissioner stressed that experts have warned of potential long-term health hazards, including cancer risks, as well as the possibility of catastrophic consequences should any of the power lines collapse – particularly given the proximity to the Lagoon and the Third Mainland Bridge.
“This is an emergency waiting to happen. Should such a calamity occur, the same voices questioning government action would ask why preventive measures were not taken,” Omotoso noted. He further maintained that building under high-tension wires and within restricted zones violates established physical planning and environmental laws.
“In Lagos State, there are clear regulations governing setbacks from waterways and infrastructure corridors. These laws exist to protect lives and ensure orderly development,” he said.
The commissioner added that Lagos, being the smallest state in Nigeria by landmass yet home to an estimated 25–30 million residents, must maintain strict adherence to planning regulations to ensure sustainability and liveability.
He averred that compensating or legitimising illegal structures erected in clearly restricted zones would undermine the rule of law and set a dangerous precedent.
“We cannot allow a situation where individuals build in unauthorised areas – under power lines, near critical infrastructure, or even on bridges – and expect validation after the fact. A city must be governed by laws”, Omotoso stated.
