Lagos picks Makoko, others as urban regeneration areas

The Lagos State Government has selected Makoko, a sprawling waterfront community, which covers Mainland and Somolu Local councils as one of the urban regeneration areas.

The state had also developed an action area plan, covering Oko-Baba and Makoko, among others to guide the development of the axis.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako disclosed this when he received Makoko residents who were led on an advocacy mission by the Justice and Empowerment Initiatives (JEI).

He emphasised that the administration of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, being people-oriented, had never been in support of displacing residents from their homes, even as it becomes imperative to upgrade slums. He stated that the people had always been central to the developmental efforts of the state government.

To guide the development of the axis, Salako explained that the State’s Urban Renewal Agency(LASURA) had declared and adopted Makoko alongside 10 other communities for regeneration.

He assured that government would continuously engage the people towards ensuring that proposals to redevelop the community had inputs from members of the Makoko community.

Corroborating the Commissioner, the General Manager Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, Ms Ajibike Shomade, urged members of the community to ensure that their plans for the development of the community complement government proposals.

Earlier, the Executive Director of the Justice and Empowerment Initiatives, Morgan Chapman, praised efforts of the state government and solicited for community participation towards redeveloping Makoko.

Baale of Makoko, Chief Yusuf Kumayo, expressed satisfaction with the resolve of the government and pledged the cooperation of his community with the government.