By Abbas Nazil
The Lagos State House of Assembly has concluded its investigation into the controversial demolitions carried out in three waterfront communities, with residents presenting different demands regarding compensation and relocation after the exercise.
The chairman of the assembly’s ad hoc committee, Noheem Adams, announced the completion of the investigation during a stakeholders’ meeting with representatives of the affected communities held on March 5, 2026 in Lagos.
Adams explained that the committee would forward its report, along with the opinions and requests expressed by the affected residents, to the Speaker and the full 40-member legislature for further deliberation and possible action.
The communities affected by the demolition exercise include Makoko, Sogunro and Oko-Agbon, all of which are located along Lagos’ waterfront.
During the discussions, the committee chairman expressed disappointment over what he described as changing positions by representatives of the communities throughout the course of the investigation.
According to him, the communities had initially indicated that they would accept financial compensation for properties affected by the demolitions but later reconsidered their position during negotiations.
He noted that this shift in demands complicated efforts to reach a settlement that could satisfy both the government and the affected residents.
At the final meeting of the committee, leaders and representatives from the three communities presented different proposals on how the government should address the displacement caused by the demolitions.
The Alase of the Egun community in Makoko, Francis Agoyon, stated that residents preferred permanent relocation rather than receiving financial payments for the destroyed structures.
Supporting this view, the Baale of Makoko, Emmanuel Shemade, said the community believed relocation would provide a more lasting solution than monetary compensation.
However, he stressed that the government must clearly identify the locations where affected residents would be moved and also properly define the demolition boundaries in Makoko, Sogunro and Oko-Agbon.
In contrast, the representative of the Sogunro community, Bola Ayande, said residents in his area preferred financial compensation for their demolished homes and structures.
He proposed that each affected resident should receive about ₦10 million, explaining that constructing a typical bamboo house in the area costs approximately ₦4 million.
Meanwhile, the Vice Chairman of the Fishermen Association, Tobi Kalejaiye, said the demolition exercise had created tension and uncertainty among residents of the affected communities.
He explained that many people were anxious about their future and were waiting for the final decision of their traditional leaders regarding the options presented to the government.
Despite their differing views, leaders from the three communities agreed that any new structures rebuilt on the previously demolished sites should be removed by the authorities.
Officials from the Lagos State Building Control Agency informed the committee that some individuals had already reconstructed buildings on the affected land after the demolition exercise.
They therefore requested approval from the assembly to remove those new constructions in order to enforce the earlier demolition order.
Earlier in the process, the assembly had instructed each community to create a 10-member committee made up of women, youths, students and traditional leaders to help address the concerns of displaced residents.
The affected communities later submitted their reports to the Assembly Secretariat as part of the investigative process.
The findings of the ad hoc committee are expected to guide the assembly’s next decisions regarding the controversial waterfront demolitions and the future of the affected communities.
