Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has disclosed that evacuation notices were served on affected residents of the Makoko area more than two years before the recent demolition exercise.
The Governor gave the clarification on Monday while signing the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law at the Lagos House, Ikeja, reiterating that his administration remains committed to safeguarding lives and property across the State.
Sanwo-Olu expressed concern over the dangerous act of residents scooping fuel from a fallen tanker at the Apapa Bridge earlier in the day, describing it as a suicide mission. He commended the prompt response of Lagos State emergency responders and the Police for swiftly securing the area and averting a potential disaster, while warning residents to desist from actions that could lead to loss of lives.
Speaking on environmental indiscipline, particularly the indiscriminate dumping of refuse on road medians, the Governor said stricter penalties would be enforced in 2026. He announced plans to strengthen the operational capacity of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Private Sector Participants (PSPs) through increased funding, additional compactor trucks, and improved equipment.
On the Makoko demolition, Sanwo-Olu stressed that the exercise was limited to structures built within 150 to 250 metres of high-tension power lines, in line with safety regulations. He noted that the decision was taken in the collective interest of Lagosians and not for any ulterior motive.
According to him, the government had extended the planned clearance from December 2024 throughout 2025 to allow sufficient time for compliance, adding that the State could not afford to ignore safety risks that could lead to calamity, especially around critical infrastructure such as the Third Mainland Bridge.
The Governor also alleged that some local and international NGOs were exploiting the situation for financial gain, promising that the State would present evidence to substantiate its claims.
He assured that, in line with its compassionate approach to governance, the State Government would provide affected residents with palliatives and relocation stipends, with relevant ministries and local governments directed to offer additional support to ease the impact of the exercise.