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.

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During a press briefing held in Abuja, CSGGG’s Public Relations Officer, Comrade Austin Peacemaker Inaede, revealed that the group has received multiple complaints from property buyers facing similar frustrations. One such case involved Mr. Tochukwu Ariwodo, who in 2022 purchased a 600-square-meter plot in Pwan Prestige Estate, Lagos. Despite fulfilling all payment obligations nearly three years ago, Mr. Ariwodo is yet to receive key legal documents that affirm his ownership of the land.

Inaede explained that, to date, Mr. Ariwodo has only received a receipt of payment, a contract of sale, and a letter of allocation—documents which, while part of the process, do not confer legal ownership under Nigerian law without additional documentation such as the deed of assignment, survey plan, certificate of occupancy, or governor’s consent. Repeated follow-ups through calls, letters, and visits to the company’s office in Lagos have not yielded results.

The civil society group stated that preliminary findings, backed by online testimonials and public feedback, suggest this is not an isolated case. Similar patterns of unresolved documentation have been reported by other buyers. In response, CSGGG has issued a seven-day deadline to the company to resolve the issue either by providing the complete set of legal documents or taking clear steps toward resolution.

Failure to act, Inaede warned, would prompt the group to begin peaceful awareness campaigns nationwide and formally involve regulatory and law enforcement agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Police Force. He reaffirmed the group’s commitment to fair and lawful engagement while urging other Nigerians with similar experiences to speak out.

Calling for greater transparency and industry accountability, Inaede stressed that the coalition’s broader goal is to drive systemic reforms that safeguard buyer rights and ensure real estate transactions comply with established legal standards.

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In a statement issued in Abuja, the coalition accused the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) of abandoning the initiative for personal interests despite having access to funds. National Coordinator Isa Yakubu alleged that FHA leadership deliberately withheld payments for completed work, pushing contractors into severe financial distress.

According to the coalition, the prolonged financial strain has led to devastating consequences, with some contractors reportedly suffering strokes or even losing their lives due to the stress.

The statement further claimed that the FHA management is attempting to cancel the project and reassign it to preferred associates, leaving the original contractors unpaid.

Delays and Financial Struggles

The Bwari Housing Project, awarded in April 2022, faced initial setbacks as contractors were unable to commence work for six months due to site unpreparedness. This delay, combined with rising costs of materials, labor, and transportation, made project completion more difficult.

Despite these challenges, several contractors managed to complete and hand over buildings in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Housing Initiative, which aims to deliver 500,000 housing units annually. However, the coalition claims that payments stopped as soon as new FHA management assumed office.

Contractors Facing Loan Defaults

Many affected contractors reportedly took out high-interest loans and used properties as collateral to finance construction. With the FHA failing to pay for completed work, some contractors now face the risk of property confiscation.

“What was meant to be an affordable housing project has become an abandoned venture, plagued by financial hardship and leadership neglect,” the statement read.

The coalition urged the federal government to intervene, ensuring that contractors receive their due payments to prevent further economic losses and human suffering.

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The Federal Government recently announced plans to adjust tariffs for non-Band-A customers to address liquidity challenges within the electricity sector.

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, explained that the government can no longer sustain the N3 trillion electricity subsidy due to rising financial burdens.

He revealed that debts owed to power generation companies have now reached N4 trillion, making the current system financially unsustainable.

Adelabu emphasized that reviewing tariffs is necessary to improve revenue, attract investments, and enhance Nigeria’s electricity supply infrastructure and reliability.

He pointed out that Band-B customers receive approximately 18 hours of electricity daily, paying N63/kW, creating disparities in billing structures.

The government recently launched the National Integrated Electricity Policy (NIEP) and Nigeria Integrated Resource Plan (NIRP) for sector transformation.

Both frameworks outline a plan to eliminate delayed electrification and self-generation by 2035 through massive investment in power infrastructure.

According to official estimates, the sector requires $29.23 billion in investments now and $122 billion by 2045 for improvements.

Small Business Owners Warn Against Economic Crisis from Tariff Hikes

The Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON) strongly opposed the planned hike, warning of severe consequences for businesses.

ASBON President, Femi Egbesola, argued that increased electricity costs would raise production expenses, reduce sales, and threaten small enterprises.

He stressed that most small businesses rely on government-supplied electricity and cannot survive higher energy costs amidst inflation.

“Any further increase will push micro and small businesses to the brink, causing closures and widespread economic difficulties,” he warned.

Civil Society Organizations Threaten Nationwide Resistance Protests

Education Rights Campaign (ERC) announced plans for mass resistance, insisting that electricity supply remains unreliable despite previous tariff increments.

ERC National Coordinator, Hassan Taiwo, criticized frequent power grid collapses, poor service delivery, and financial struggles caused by rising electricity bills.

“Many Nigerians struggle with erratic power supply, yet the government expects them to pay more for unreliable services,” he stated.

Hospitals, businesses, and households already face electricity-related challenges, making further tariff increases completely unjustifiable under current conditions.

The Movement for Socialist Alternative (MSA) also condemned the proposal, calling privatization a failure that benefits only wealthy elites.

MSA General Secretary, Dagga Tolar, claimed that power sector investors exploit consumers while failing to increase Nigeria’s electricity generation capacity.

“The national grid collapses frequently, yet authorities do nothing to resolve these persistent failures affecting millions of Nigerians,” he remarked.

He urged labor unions, businesses, and citizens to resist policies that prioritize private profits over affordable and accessible electricity services.

NERC Introduces New Consumer Protection Regulations for Electricity Users

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) introduced a Customer Bill of Rights and Obligations to protect consumers against unfair practices.

These regulations ensure customers receive clear information regarding electricity tariffs, service terms, connection procedures, and payment responsibilities.

NERC emphasized that timely bill payments, meter compliance, and safety regulations are crucial for maintaining an efficient electricity supply system.

Consumers were also advised to notify electricity distribution companies when relocating to avoid liabilities from outstanding unpaid electricity bills.

With increasing public opposition, the government faces growing pressure to reconsider tariff adjustments and prioritize service improvements first.

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