Makoko residents appeal to govt over relocation

People navigate the the waterways of Makoko waterfront community in Lagos on May 15, 2018. Members of various waterfront communities and the Nigerian Slum/Informal Settlement Federation have protested on the day marking one year anniversary of the forced eviction of the Otodo Gbame community, a Lagos shanty town, from their waterfront location. / AFP PHOTO / STEFAN HEUNIS

Community leaders at Makoko-Iwaya Waterfront in Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State have appealed to the government over the planned relocation of residents from the area.

They told The Nation that the area had been home to over 10,000 Lagosians of Ogu extraction for over 100 years.

A youth leader, Mr Vituwa Francis, said former governor Babatunde Fashola gave the residents quit notice in 2012.

“Weeks later, earth movers were brought in and they started demolition of our houses. This resulted in a fracas between the landlords and the police.

“One of our chiefs was killed during the fracas and this led to a peaceful protest by the residents at the Secretariat, Alausa.

“Consequently, Fashola ordered that the demolition be stopped,” he said.

Francis said since then, the Ogu residents had been living there peacefully. (Nation)

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