Activist Faults Gov Sanwo-Olu's Claim on Makoko Demolition, Accuses LAGS of Insincerity and Inconsistency

The Centre for Children's Health Education, Orientation and Protection, better known as CEE-HOPE, has faulted the Lagos State Governor, BABAJIDE SANWO-OLU’s criticism of non-governmental organizations involved in the Makoko struggle. BETTY ABAH, who is the Executive Director of CEE-HOPE, said Governor SANWO-OLU’s allegations against some NGOs cannot be a justification for the forced displacement of Makoko residents through the ongoing demolition of structures in the area. She also said the comments by Governor SANWO-OLU show that the state government does not care about the residents of Makoko, considering that some persons died due to the callous acts of the demolition officials. On SANWO-OLU’s allegations that some NGOs involved in the Makoko struggle collected grants that cannot be accounted for, BETTY ABAH said he must have reacted out of fear due to growing international attention to the inhuman action of the Lagos State Government. ABAH maintained that the main reason NGOs are working in Makoko community is the lack of government presence in the area, stressing that the only the Lagos State officials remember Makoko is during election when they need to harvest their votes. The journalist-turned women and children’s rights activist, who shared her perspectives on a radio programme monitored in Lagos, accused the Lagos State government of insincerity and inconsistency in its excuses for the demolition of Makoko. ABAH maintained that the Makoko demolition was not about safety concerns due to encroachment of structures on high-tension powerline, but a scheme to disposes the inhabitants under the guise of urban regeneration and renewal. She said the demolition has extended about four hundred metres into Makoko community, far beyond the recommended setback of the powerline that was agreed with the inhabitants. The CEE-HOPE Executive Director maintained that civil society groups involved in the Makoko struggle were not opposed to the urban redevelopment scheme of the Lagos State, but want the government to follow the due process. She said government must plan its policies in a way as to allow the rich and the poor to co-exist in Makoko, stressing that urban redevelopment should not be done at the expense of the poor.