The Lagos State Government has committed $2 million to the Water Cities Project, positioning it as the flagship initiative for the regeneration and renewal of the Makoko waterfront settlement.
The commitment was disclosed on Monday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, alongside the Special Adviser to the Governor on E-GIS and Urban Development, Mr. Babatunde Olajide, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The announcement comes amid public debate following the recent demolition of parts of the Makoko settlement and similar actions in other communities. The state government has defended the exercise, describing it as part of a broader urban renewal, safety, and environmental sustainability programme.
Makoko Water Cities Project
The Lagos State Government said its intervention in Makoko is anchored on the Water Cities Project, which it described as the most environmentally sustainable option for redeveloping the waterfront community.
Olajide noted that Makoko is a sensitive and globally recognised settlement, made up of both land-based and waterfront sections, adding that its international visibility influenced the government’s regeneration strategy.
He revealed that the state abandoned plans for shoreline extension in Makoko after environmental experts advised that the option posed ecological risks.
“On Makoko’s future, the state has committed two million dollars to the Water Cities Project, which is the most environmentally friendly option,” Olajide said, according to NAN.
He added: “We dropped shoreline extension because experts advised it was not environmentally friendly. Water Cities is the sustainable option, and that is what we are pursuing with the Makoko community.”
According to him, the Water Cities Project aligns with environmental standards and international best practices, and is being implemented in consultation with residents of the Makoko community.
Olajide also clarified that areas located under high-tension power lines were cleared strictly on safety grounds, stressing that the actions were taken to protect lives and not to penalise residents.