- According to him, the initiative is part of a broader urban renewal drive aimed at ensuring orderly development
- Oki stressed that the enforcement would cover shanties and illegal structures along the waterfront corridor extending towards Bariga
- He noted that requests for a 30-metre setback could not be entertained, warning that such proximity to power infrastructure poses severe risks to lives
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its decision to remove illegal waterfront structures built dangerously close to high-tension power lines in the Makoko axis, insisting that public safety will not be compromised.
Eko Hot Blog reports that officials of the state’s Ministry of Urban Development made this position clear during a meeting with traditional leaders from Makoko, who had appealed for leniency and a reduction in the required setback from the electricity lines.
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Addressing the delegation, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki, explained that while federal regulations prescribe a much wider safety buffer, the state government had already exercised restraint by approving a reduced distance to limit displacement.
He noted that requests for a 30-metre setback could not be entertained, warning that such proximity to power infrastructure poses severe risks to lives, especially in a densely populated waterfront environment.
Oki stressed that the enforcement would cover shanties and illegal structures along the waterfront corridor extending towards Bariga, adding that the government’s resolve is firm and irreversible.
According to him, the initiative is part of a broader urban renewal drive aimed at ensuring orderly development and safeguarding residents as Lagos continues its transition into a megacity.
He also disclosed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed occupants of wooden waterfront houses to repaint their roofs in a uniform colour within two months, a move intended to improve the visual appeal of the area, particularly from the Third Mainland Bridge.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the Baale of Sogunro Ajagungbade, High Chief Yusuf Segrakumayono, assured government officials that residents would comply with the directives in the interest of safety and cooperation.
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