By Awyetu Asabe Hope
Lagos State House of Assembly has proposed the relocation of residents displaced by the demolition of waterfront settlements to a new settlement in Agbowa, Epe.
Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Noheem Adams, disclosed this while speaking with journalists on Wednesday in Lagos.
The affected communities include Makoko, Sogunro and Oko Agbon.
Residents of the communities were displaced after the Lagos State Government began demolishing what it described as illicit structures around the Third Mainland Bridge in December 2025.
Following the demolition, residents protested the exercise and submitted a petition to the House, prompting lawmakers to call for its suspension pending investigation.
Adams said the demolition displaced several residents, including the elderly, women and children, while homes and other properties were destroyed.
He noted that most residents of the affected communities depend on fishing for their livelihood and have historically lived along the waterfront because of their occupation.
According to him, living conditions in Makoko and surrounding areas worsened after the demolition, resulting in environmental and health concerns as well as increased security risks.
Adams said the House, after reviewing the petition, resolved that the state government should relocate the remaining residents to a proposed low-cost housing estate in Agbowa where they could continue their fishing activities.
He added that the committee also recommended that the government direct the Special Adviser on E-GIS to vet the enumeration report submitted by the affected communities.
Adams said the committee reached its recommendations after holding five meetings with the petitioners and conducting an oversight visit with relevant government agencies and representatives of the communities.
He added that the House also advised the government to involve the Oloto of the Otto Family in the proposed Water City Project, recognising the family as the original landowners.
