Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has defended the recent demolition exercise carried out in parts of Makoko, insisting that the action was taken in the overall interest of public safety and to prevent a potential disaster.

The governor also used the opportunity to appeal to corporate organisations and well-meaning individuals to support the state’s security architecture through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF).

Sanwo-Olu spoke during a private breakfast meeting with selected Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers in Ikoyi, Lagos, organised by the LSSTF to mobilise funds for critical security needs in 2026.

Addressing public criticism and protests that followed the demolition in Makoko, the governor explained that the structures affected were dangerously close to key infrastructure, including the Third Mainland Bridge and high-tension power lines.

According to him, the rapid expansion of illegal settlements in the area posed serious safety risks that could result in mass casualties if left unchecked.

“I have been accused of destroying Makoko, but people need to understand the reality,” Sanwo-Olu said. “Those shanties were expanding at an alarming speed and getting dangerously close to the Third Mainland Bridge and high-tension power lines. I cannot sit back and watch a disaster happen where hundreds of lives could be lost in one day.”

He stressed that government intervention was not driven by malice or displacement for its own sake, but by the responsibility to protect lives and property.

Sanwo-Olu also revealed that efforts were previously made to attract international development support for the area, but those plans failed to materialise.

“For six years, a United Nations agency promised to support development if the state provided counterpart funding. We did, but they never returned. Only last week, they admitted they had no funds,” he said.

The governor criticised some non-governmental organisations for exploiting the situation for financial gain, alleging that certain groups raise funds abroad by portraying distress without offering lasting solutions.

“What benefit would it be for government to dislocate people if not for their safety?” he asked, assuring residents that the administration’s goal is to improve living conditions, not worsen them.

Okobaba relocation cited as precedent

Sanwo-Olu referenced the Okobaba sawmill relocation as an example of how difficult urban interventions can deliver long-term benefits.

He explained that the Okobaba area, which suffered frequent fire outbreaks, was successfully relocated to Agbowa after years of planning, at a cost of billions of naira.

“We built over 500 houses for them, and that is why you no longer hear of fire incidents in Okobaba,” he noted.

Call for security funding support

Beyond the demolition issue, the governor appealed for increased private-sector participation in strengthening Lagos’ security framework.

He listed critical security needs including helicopters, drones, armoured personnel carriers, water cannons, CCTV cameras, digital communication equipment, vehicles, and tactical training for security agencies.

Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the state currently funds more than 50 per cent of security operations annually, but stressed that additional support is needed to sustain and scale ongoing initiatives.

“We want the private sector to trust that their contributions are transparently deployed. Lagos must remain secure to attract investments and protect lives,” he said.

He added that the state is rebuilding its Command and Control Centre and expanding its Safe City CCTV project to enhance surveillance and emergency response across Lagos.

The post Sanwo-Olu Defends Makoko Demolition, Appeals for Support to Strengthen Lagos Security appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has dismissed reports suggesting that the Federal Government approved over N3.6 trillion for the rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, insisting that no such figure has been sanctioned.

During an inspection of major infrastructure projects in Lagos, the minister explained that the figures in circulation were only preliminary estimates from a single consultant, which were never adopted. “What we presented was not a request for N3.6 trillion or N3.8 trillion. We only noted what Julius Berger had indicated, but we do not trust those figures because one consultant alone cannot give a reliable estimate. That is why we asked for approval to engage at least seven global contractors to carry out investigations, designs, and proposals. No approval has been given for any figure,” he clarified.

He further revealed that earlier investigations dating back several years had shown significant damage to both the Carter and Third Mainland Bridges due to chlorination, rust, and illegal sand mining. “The level of degradation of Carter Bridge is the same as that of Third Mainland Bridge. The steel casings have rusted, concrete reinforcements have been exposed, and the defects are progressing in geometrical progression,” he explained.

According to him, the Federal Executive Council directed multiple contractors and independent consultants to determine whether full rehabilitation or complete reconstruction would be more cost-effective. He also disclosed that private sector participation had been approved under a public–private partnership arrangement, with the option of tolling once projects are completed.

On the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the minister commended contractors for moving ahead of schedule despite technical challenges. He directed that weekly televised updates be provided by at least two stations to ensure transparency.

He urged Nigerians and the media to avoid spreading misinformation, warning that inaccurate reports could mislead the public and undermine ongoing efforts. “Facts must be reported correctly. Anything short of that only breeds confusion and distracts from the work at hand,” he stated.

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This decision was made during the recent Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, as detailed in a statement from Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

The primary objective of these repairs is to enhance the structural integrity of the Third Mainland Bridge and alleviate traffic congestion in critical areas of Lagos. The bridge is a vital transport route, connecting the mainland to the island, and is crucial for the city’s infrastructure.

READ ALSO: 13 Key Facts About the Proposed Fourth Mainland Bridge You Should Know

According to the statement, “Messrs CCECC Nigeria will repair the damaged loops and ramps of the Third Mainland Bridge superstructure and rehabilitate the Adeniji-Falomo Roads for N42 billion. Completion will take six months.”

These rehabilitation efforts are expected to significantly improve road safety and traffic flow in one of Lagos’ busiest corridors. The federal government has been actively initiating various road and bridge rehabilitation projects across Nigeria, particularly focusing on infrastructure improvements in Lagos State.

In recent months, several major roads managed by the Federal Government in Lagos have been temporarily closed for repairs to enhance road conditions. Notable structures undergoing significant work include the Third Mainland Bridge, Carter Bridge, Iddo Bridge, Eko Bridge, and Adeniji-Falomo Roads.

READ ALSO: Lagos Government Denies Deliberately Setting Fire to Oko Baba Plank Market

The Third Mainland Bridge, which was fully reopened to vehicular traffic on April 4, 2024, after extensive repairs, remains a priority for ongoing maintenance. The Minister of Works has stressed the urgent need for underwater repairs to the bridge, warning that delays could escalate reconstruction costs to approximately N6 trillion.

As part of this initiative, the Federal Government has already allocated N6 billion to Julius Berger Nigeria PLC for underwater structural work aimed at enhancing the long-term stability of the bridge. While Julius Berger focuses on these underwater repairs, CCECC will address the bridge’s damaged loops and ramps, further ensuring public safety.

In conjunction with the Third Mainland Bridge repairs, phased repairs on various sections of the Adeniji-Falomo Roads are also underway, with a traffic diversion implemented by the Lagos State Government from May 13 to November 7, 2024, to facilitate these federal repairs.

With these concerted efforts, authorities aim to reinforce one of Lagos’ most critical transportation corridors, improving safety and traffic efficiency for all users.

The post CCECC to Repair Third Mainland Bridge and Adeniji-Falomo Roads for N42 Billion appeared first on Housing TV Africa.