Lagos-based civil society groups have called on the state government to accelerate urban development in Makoko, warning that failure to act could endanger thousands of residents living under high-tension power lines.
The Coalition for Good Governance, comprising over 80 organisations, stressed the need for immediate evacuation and infrastructure improvements to safeguard lives and property.
Comrade Nelson Ekujumi, convener of the coalition, highlighted that previous demolitions in 2005 and 2012 were necessary for public safety, but the persistent construction of informal structures under high-voltage wires has heightened risks of fire, electrocution, and flooding.
He noted that Makoko remains one of Lagos’ most vulnerable urban settlements, home to between 80,000 and 250,000 people who largely depend on artisanal fishing and informal trade.
The coalition urged government authorities to engage transparently with residents while enforcing safety regulations. They called for fair compensation for families affected by the demolitions and warned that continued noncompliance by residents under unsafe conditions could lead to avoidable tragedies.
Ekujumi added that Makoko’s recurring demolition pattern underscores systemic planning challenges in Lagos. He urged the Lagos Assembly to expedite oversight and implementation of the urban development programme to prevent further humanitarian and environmental risks.
