Residents of Makoko and Ilaje Aiyetoro Community in Yaba LCDA protested on Thursday at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
They blocked part of the road to complain about the Lagos State Government’s ongoing demolition of their homes.
The protesters, whose houses are affected, begged the government to limit the demolition to within 100 metres. They warned that demolishing beyond this limit would make many families homeless.
They said the demolitions were destroying their means of livelihood and putting their families at risk. Many residents in Makoko depend on fishing and small trading to survive.
Despite the protest, government officials continued demolishing buildings in the area.
This suggested that the exercise was not only about removing houses under high-tension power lines but also clearing a larger part of the community.
Thousands of people are believed to be affected by the demolitions. Makoko, a waterfront community where many residents live in houses built on stilts over water, has faced several demolitions and evictions in the past.
The government said the demolitions are for safety and urban development reasons.
However, residents and civil society groups have asked the government to provide alternative housing for those affected.
The Justice Empowerment Initiative, together with other civil society organisations, condemned the eviction of Makoko residents.
Speaking to The Guardian, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said residents had the right to protest.
He explained that the government had been engaging with the community for over five years and that the issue was mainly about safety.
He said the law requires buildings to be at least 250 metres away from power lines.
According to him, residents earlier agreed that houses under the power lines should be removed and that buildings should be kept 100 metres away. He added that the government even reduced the distance to 50 metres at the residents’ request.
Omotoso said the government would not panic over the protest and insisted there was no reason for it.
When asked about providing alternative housing for displaced residents, he said compensating or supporting illegal buildings would encourage more illegal structures.
He warned that allowing such practices could damage the city.
He added that no one is allowed to build houses under high-tension power lines and that anyone asked to leave such areas must comply.
