The Lagos State Government has announced plans to begin the removal of illegal structures built beneath high-tension power lines in the Makoko community, Yaba.
This initiative follows the recent demolition of unsafe and unauthorized buildings near the Oworonshoki end of the Third Mainland Bridge in Kosofe Local Government Area, carried out by the Office of Urban and Regional Planning.
Makoko, a densely populated waterfront settlement, has been the focus of several stakeholder engagements by the government in recent weeks.
State officials raised serious concerns about the growing number of shanties being erected directly under high-tension cables, posing significant safety hazards to residents. Authorities also condemned the illegal extension of these structures toward and even beneath the Third Mainland Bridge.
Permanent Secretary of the Office of Urban and Regional Development, Arc. Gbolahan Oki, stressed the state’s commitment to public safety. He confirmed that the government would move forward with enforcement actions in Makoko to prevent potential disasters.
“We’ve held numerous meetings with Makoko residents, warning them of the dangers of building under high-tension cables,” Oki said. “Despite repeated notices, they have not only refused to relocate but have continued expanding towards the bridge’s structure.”
He explained that the government is working closely with community leaders to coordinate the removal of illegal structures. Oki emphasized the urgency of the situation, pointing out that if a power line were to fall and cause fatalities, the state would be held responsible.
“The lives of residents come first. What’s happening in Makoko is not just unsafe, it’s also a form of encroachment on critical infrastructure,” he added.
Reaffirming the Sanwo-Olu administration’s resolve, Oki stated: “We are ready to act, even if some individuals resist. Wrongdoing cannot be excused. While a few benefit from these illegal setups, we must prioritize the well-being of the larger society.”
Addressing the earlier demolition exercise in Oworonshoki, which sparked protests and a brief blockage of the Third Mainland Bridge, Oki said the government had been engaging residents for over three years. Despite providing an amnesty window to regularize property documents, only two individuals complied.
He noted that the demolished buildings were structurally defective and unsafe, emphasizing that investigations also revealed that some criminals involved in traffic robberies on the bridge were residents of the affected shanties, often fleeing back into the area after their attacks.
“These demolitions were not random due process was followed. Many of the structures were already falling apart, merely disguised with fresh paint. We’ve also received reports linking criminal activity to the area,” Oki said.