Breaking News: Sanwo-Olu Defends Makoko Demolition, Says Exercise Aimed at Protecting Lives, Infrastructure
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has justified the ongoing demolition of structures in the Makoko waterfront community, insisting that the exercise is driven by safety concerns and the need to protect critical public infrastructure.
The governor spoke on Monday shortly after signing the N4.4 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, amid growing public criticism over the demolition exercise in the riverine settlement.
According to Sanwo-Olu, the affected structures were erected within restricted zones, including power-line setbacks and areas close to vital infrastructure such as the Third Mainland Bridge, posing serious risks to residents and the wider public.
“The safety of lives and property is paramount and must be safeguarded,” the governor said. “I just explained to you that a tanker carrying 33,000 litres of fuel fell on a bridge and spilt fuel, and over 100 people were there scooping it. We had to deploy our first responders to address the situation. If anything had happened, this is not what we would be talking about.”
Drawing a parallel between that incident and the Makoko demolitions, Sanwo-Olu stressed that government intervention was necessary to prevent avoidable disasters.
“It’s a similar thing we’re doing in Makoko. Of what interest would it be for the government to demolish anyone’s structure if not for the overall safety of citizens?” he asked.
The governor further revealed that several residents had constructed shanties directly under high-tension power lines, describing the situation as a ticking time bomb.
“What we are doing is not demolishing the whole of Makoko,” Sanwo-Olu clarified. “We are clearing areas to ensure they do not encroach on the Third Mainland Bridge and to keep residents away from high-tension lines.”
The demolition has sparked protests from Makoko residents, with some accusing the government of insensitivity and lack of adequate consultation. However, the state government maintains that the exercise is limited in scope and focused solely on high-risk areas.
Lagos Reporters will continue to monitor developments surrounding the Makoko demolition and reactions from affected communities and relevant authorities.
