The Lagos State House of Assembly has thrown its weight behind the ongoing demolition of illegal structures along shorelines and beneath high-tension power lines, signalling legislative support for an exercise that has stirred public outrage, particularly in waterfront communities.
The endorsement came on Tuesday as residents of Makoko and Oworonsoki continued to express anger over the clearance of shanties and makeshift homes, some of which were pulled down last week by officials of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
Speaking for the Assembly, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Security and Strategy, Mr Stephen Ogundipe, said the exercise was not only lawful but unavoidable, given the growing security and environmental risks posed by unregulated settlements.
Ogundipe, who represents Oshodi-Isolo Constituency I, described the proliferation of ramshackle structures along Lagos shorelines as a looming disaster waiting to happen.
“It is deeply concerning that sheds and shanties have taken over our waterfronts,” he said. “These areas have increasingly become safe havens for criminal elements who vandalise public infrastructure and threaten the safety of innocent citizens.”
Last Thursday, angry Makoko residents stormed the Assembly complex, appealing to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to halt further demolitions. Many of the protesters lamented the loss of homes and livelihoods, insisting they were not given adequate notice or alternatives.
However, Ogundipe maintained that while the exercise was painful for those affected, it was designed to protect the broader public interest and avert avoidable tragedies.
“The government’s intervention reflects a commitment to safeguarding lives, preventing environmental disasters and ensuring sustainable urban development,” he said, adding that the Assembly considered the move responsible and forward-looking.
He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with government agencies, assuring them that their grievances would not be swept under the carpet. According to him, adherence to planning laws and building regulations remains the surest way to prevent a recurrence.
The lawmaker also struck a conciliatory note, stressing that enforcement must go hand in hand with compassion. He assured that the Assembly would continue to engage the executive to ensure that affected residents are not abandoned in the process.
“Our duty is to uphold the law while remaining empathetic,” Ogundipe said. “Collective responsibility is essential if Lagos is to avoid future disasters and build a safer, more orderly city.”
