By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Lagos State House of Assembly has recommended the relocation of residents affected by the demolition of waterfront communities in the Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Sogunro areas of the state to the Agbowa in the Epe Local Government Area.
This was contained in a statement from the Assembly’s Public Affairs Directorate, which stated that the recommendation followed the adoption of a report by the House Committee on Rules and Business during plenary on Tuesday.
The statement noted that the resolution followed a petition addressed to the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, entitled: ‘Urgent Appeal Regarding Ongoing Mass Forced Eviction and Illegal Demolition Threatening Tens of Thousands in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Sogunro Communities.’
Chairman of the committee, Honourable Noheem Adams, while presenting the report during plenary at the Committee of the Whole, explained that the committee arrived at its conclusions after engaging the petitioners in five separate meetings and conducting an oversight visit with relevant government officials, agencies, and representatives of the affected communities.
Adams noted that the demolition exercise displaced many residents, including the elderly, women and children, while homes and properties were destroyed.
The committee stated that the affected waterfront communities depend largely on fishing as their primary source of livelihood and have historically lived on the water because of the nature of their occupation.
It also observed that living conditions in Makoko and the surrounding areas deteriorated drastically after the demolition, leading to environmental and health concerns as well as heightened safety risks.
The committee recommended, based on findings, that the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, should direct the Special Adviser on E-GIS to vet the enumeration report submitted by the Makoko, Sogunro and Oko-Agbon communities.
“The committee further recommended that the government relocate the remaining residents of Makoko, Sogunro and Oko-Agbon to a proposed low-cost housing estate to be constructed in the Agbowa area of the state, where they can continue their fishing activities,” the statement added.
The Assembly’s recommendation follows demolitions of “illicit structures” by the Lagos State Government in late December 2025 and early January 2026 in the Makoko, Oko‑Agbon and Sogunro waterfront communities near the Third Mainland Bridge.
The demolition led to the displacement of thousands of residents in the densely populated waterfront communities, many of whom depend on fishing for their livelihood.
As a result, there were protests from community members and civil society groups, who criticised the demolitions, particularly over the absence of clear resettlement plans, compensation and the impact on livelihoods.
The affected communities also petitioned Obasa, even as the Assembly called for the suspension of the exercise and promised to investigate the matter.
