Lagos Assembly Proposes Relocation of Makoko Residents to Agbowa-Epe

Lagos Assembly Proposes Relocation of Makoko Residents to Agbowa-Epe

The Lagos State House of Assembly has proposed the relocation of residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Sogunro communities to a new settlement in Agbowa-Epe following the demolition exercise recently carried out in the affected areas.

The decision followed the adoption of recommendations presented by the Assembly’s Committee on Rules and Business during plenary, making them the official resolution of the House.

The matter arose from a petition submitted to the Speaker of the Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, titled “Urgent Appeal Regarding Ongoing Mass Forced Eviction and Illegal Demolition Threatening Tens of Thousands in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Sogunro Communities.”

Presenting the committee’s report, the Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Business, Noheem Adams, said the panel held five separate meetings with petitioners and conducted an oversight visit involving government officials, relevant agencies and representatives of the affected communities before arriving at its recommendations.

Adams explained that the committee proposed that the state government should relocate the remaining residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Sogunro to a planned low-cost housing estate to be developed in the Agbowa-Epe area.

According to him, the proposed relocation site would enable residents; many of whom depend on fishing for their livelihoods to continue their traditional occupation.

The committee also recommended that the government involve the traditional leadership of the Otto family in the proposed water city project.

Specifically, it urged the inclusion of the Oloto of Otto, recognised as the original landowning authority in the area, in the planning and implementation of the development project.

Lawmakers said the recommendations were aimed at addressing humanitarian concerns arising from the demolition exercise while also ensuring that development projects in the state take into account the rights and welfare of affected communities.