Lagos State Government commits $2 million to Makoko redevelopment, emphasizing safety, community engagement, and sustainable Water Cities model for the waterfront fishing settlement

The Lagos State Government has pledged $2 million towards the redevelopment of Makoko, the waterfront fishing community recently at the centre of public debate following partial demolitions.

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Special Adviser to the Governor on eGIS, Olajide Babatunde, disclosed the funding during a press briefing at Alausa, Ikeja, describing it as Lagos State’s counterpart contribution to ongoing redevelopment discussions involving international partners.

“We have been carrying out regeneration projects in Lagos since the beginning of this administration,” Babatunde said, adding that redevelopment efforts have continued uninterrupted from 2019 to date.

Makoko has drawn national and international attention due to demolitions of unsafe structures, particularly in high-tension power line corridors.

The government has consistently maintained that these actions are safety-driven rather than punitive.

“Regeneration is not punishment. It is not gentrification. It is not about removing the poor to replace them with the rich. It is about safeguarding lives and ensuring that every resident of Lagos lives in a safe and dignified environment,” Babatunde said.

The state’s approach prioritises negotiation and stakeholder engagement. “Our approach is bottom-up, not top-down. We do not proceed without negotiation and stakeholder input,” he added.

The $2 million commitment is aimed at improving living conditions, sanitation, infrastructure, and social amenities through collaboration with development partners, including the United Nations.

Babatunde also called on donor agencies, businesses, and the international community to support targeted interventions.

Highlighting the Water Cities model as the preferred redevelopment strategy, Babatunde explained that it ensures environmental responsibility, free water flow, and long-term resilience.

Earlier proposals to extend shorelines were abandoned after technical and environmental assessments deemed them unsustainable.

He further clarified that any removals would be limited to high-tension corridors, and vertical development within Makoko’s existing footprint is preferred over horizontal sprawl.

“The clearing of high-tension corridors is a statewide safety policy. It is not unique to Makoko and forms part of a broader life-saving strategy,” Babatunde said.

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The state government urges residents to understand the broader urban renewal framework, assuring that compensation, community input, and safety remain central to all regeneration initiatives.