By Peter Omopo
The Lagos State Government has directed residents of Makoko living in buildings constructed beneath high-tension power lines to vacate immediately, warning of imminent dangers to life and property.
The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) issued the advisory during an enforcement briefing on Tuesday. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki, said such structures not only violate physical planning laws but also endanger public safety.
“Makoko has become a high-risk zone because electricity cables run directly over homes and businesses. The high-tension lines transmit power at extremely high voltages, posing a serious threat to human life,” Oki told journalists.
He explained that the government had engaged community leaders and traditional rulers to raise awareness of the risks. Videos of these consultations, shown to the press, revealed that local leaders themselves acknowledged the dangers.
“The government cannot wait until a tragedy occurs. The lives of citizens are more important than economic activities in the area. People must move away from danger zones,” Oki stressed.
The ministry also cautioned against politicising the process, noting that some residents had resisted compliance, hoping political considerations would shield them from enforcement.
“The next time you see us in Makoko, people may claim the government acted suddenly. That is why we are providing evidence of our engagements with the community,” Oki said, urging the media to support public sensitisation efforts.
He added that while waterfront living exists globally, it is usually well-planned and never directly beneath high-voltage power lines.
The directive comes as part of the state’s broader urban renewal drive. Lagos had introduced a building permit amnesty programme in 2024, under which 18,489 applications were submitted and 8,856 permits approved before the scheme ended in December.
Since then, the state has begun clearing unsafe and non-compliant structures, starting in Oworonshoki, and has signalled that Makoko will be next as part of efforts to safeguard lives, restore order, and enhance environmental sustainability.
