Some residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Sogunro in the Yaba area of Lagos State have kicked against their proposed relocation to the Epe area of the state, following the demolition of their homes and recommendations from the state House of Assembly.
The residents, who spoke in separate exclusive interviews with The PUNCH on Wednesday, said they had no relocation agreement with the state government committee.
Speaking with our correspondent, the Secretary of the Makoko Gunuvi Student Association, Zannu Silivester, said the communities did not have any agreement on relocating the residents to a new area.
According to him, the series of engagements between the communities and the state government was based on debates and suggestions without any concrete agreement reached.
He said, “All discussions held so far have only involved suggestions and debates between the Lagos State Government and residents of the Makoko waterfront community.
“We are surprised that a conclusion was announced and published without the knowledge or agreement of the Makoko community.
“Nigeria is a democratic nation, and democracy means the people have the right to choose their future, not decisions being imposed on them without consultation.”
Sylvester also condemned the claim that the Oloto Royal Family were the ancestral owner of the waterfront communities.
“During our first, second and third visits to the Lagos State House of Assembly, Noheem Babatunde Adams clearly stated that he did not recognise or want to hear about the Oloto family as the owners of Makoko, claiming that Makoko waterfront belongs to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
