|By Adejumo Adekunle
The Lagos State House of Assembly has thrown its weight behind the state government’s ongoing demolition of illegal structures and shanties erected along shorelines and under high-tension power lines across the state.
The endorsement came on Tuesday as the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Security and Strategy, Mr Stephen Ogundipe, defended the exercise, describing it as a critical safety measure to protect lives and property.
The demolition, being carried out by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, has affected several waterfront communities, including Oworonsoki and Makoko. Last Thursday, residents of Makoko stormed the Assembly complex to protest the destruction of their homes, appealing to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to halt further demolitions.
Ogundipe, who represents Oshodi-Isolo Constituency I, said the proliferation of makeshift structures along shorelines and beneath power cables posed serious security and environmental risks to the state.
He noted that many of the affected areas had become havens for criminal activities, including vandalism of public utilities and attacks on innocent residents.
While acknowledging the hardship faced by displaced residents, Ogundipe insisted that the exercise was unavoidable and necessary in the interest of public safety and urban order.
According to him, the government’s action underscores its commitment to preventing avoidable disasters, enforcing planning regulations, and promoting sustainable urban development.
The Assembly spokesman described the demolition exercise as responsible and forward-looking, stressing that unchecked development along critical infrastructure corridors could expose the state to grave dangers.
He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with government officials, assuring them that their grievances would receive attention. Ogundipe also called on Lagosians to adhere strictly to building regulations and planning approvals to avert similar incidents in the future.
He reaffirmed the Assembly’s resolve to ensure a balance between strict enforcement of the law and compassion, assuring that affected residents would not be abandoned as the state navigates the transition toward a safer and more orderly urban environment.
