The Lagos State House of Assembly has met with residents of the Makoko community affected by recent demolitions and has directed the relevant ministries and agencies to suspend further demolition activities in the area.

Monday’s meeting, led by the Majority Leader, Mr. Noheem Adams, sought to address concerns arising from the demolition exercises in Makoko and Oworonshoki.

Mr. Adams, who also chairs the House Committee on Makoko Demolition, directed all ministries and agencies involved to immediately halt demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Afon, and Shogunro communities.

He assured residents that members of the Assembly would conduct an on-the-spot assessment to verify the specific setbacks being enforced by the government.

According to him, community leaders will be elected to serve on a task force committee to be constituted for the exercise.

The lawmaker added that while the state government remains committed to protecting lives and property, it cannot ignore the safety risks associated with living under high-tension power lines.

Assembly members also expressed displeasure with the Chairman of Yaba Local Council Development Area, Mr. Bayo Adefuye, for distributing foodstuffs to displaced residents. They noted that shelter, rather than palliatives, was the community’s most urgent need.

The Special Adviser on e-GIS and Urban Development, Mr. Olajide Babatunde, who attended the meeting, said the government had consistently engaged Makoko residents on the ongoing regeneration plan.

He clarified that the state had no intention of displacing the community permanently and confirmed that demolition activities had been suspended.

According to him, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has allocated $2 million for the development of Makoko, stressing that the settlement remains an integral part of Lagos’ history. He also promised that those affected would be duly compensated.

Some community leaders emphasised that they no longer wished to be represented by non-governmental organisations and preferred to engage directly with the government. They appealed for a complete halt to the demolitions.

State officials maintained that the exercise was necessary for safety and urban renewal, noting that all structures built within 100 metres of the transmission lines crossing the lagoon had been marked for removal.