Makoko residents storm Alausa over demolition •Wewon’t allow expansion into the lagoon —Gov

THERE seems to be no end in sight to the ongoing
imbroglio between the Lagos State government and
residents of Makoko waterfronts, as the latter
marched to the Government House, Alausa, on
Monday, to show their grievance over the ongoing
demolition of their houses by the state government.
According to findings by Nigerian Tribune, the
protesters, carrying placards bearing various
inscriptions, had arrived in the premises of Alausa,
Ikeja, as early as 10.00 a.m and did not leave until
3.00 p.m, to protest what they termed the
subversion of their fundamental human rights.
Addressing the protesters, who were about 100 in
number, the Executive Director of Social and
Economic Rights Action Centre (SERAC), Felix Morka,
said there were indications that the government had
another motive for demolishing the Makoko shanties,
saying that the group would stop the development.
"We are already making efforts to get a court
injunction that will stop the demolition. We are
seriously in consultations, with our lawyers to ensure
that our rights are not trampled upon.
"We are human beings and deserve some respect.
They may be in power, but we put them there to
serve our needs," Morka said.
The protesters, comprising the young and old, as well
as clerics wearing their religious cloaks, stormed the
area in a convoy of buses.
One of the protesters, who simply identified himself
as Moses, said "we will not rest until the government
listens to us."
Speaking on the reason for the displacement, the
state governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, on Monday,
said his administration had to intervene to halt the
continuous expansion of the community into the
lagoon, with its negative impact on the environment.
Addressing scores of Makoko residents who came to
the Lagos House, Ikeja, Governor Fashola said while
the state government was finding a solution for
residents within the recognised boundaries, it would
not allow further expansion of the community.
He said sequel to several meetings with leaders of
the community and an agreed boundary set, the
state government had been working in the area to
find solution to the difficulties which the indigenous
residents encountered, by way of providing basic
infrastructure and amenities to uplift the standard of
life of the people who, according to him, had been
there for a long time.
Expressing the readiness of his administration to
meet with genuine representatives of the
community, Governor Fashola advised them to be
wary of people who were profitting from their difficult
situation, while also advising members of the
community to resist being used by people who
wanted to take advantage of them.
The governor said piling saw dust on the lagoon,
discharging wastes in it and blocking the discharge
points for storm water had contributed to the
flooding in places like Bariga, Shomolu, Ebute-Metta,
Ogudu, Owode, Ajegunle and Ikorodu, among others.
Meanwhile, residents of Makoko community have
appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji M.
D. Abubakar, to ensure that justice prevail in the
murder case involving one of the chiefs in the area.
The Baale of the community, Chief Jeje Ayinde, also
appealed to Governor Fashola to consider the
displaced residents of the community.
Chief Ayinde, while speaking with the Nigerian
Tribune on Monday, during a visit to Makoko by the
state Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, called on
the police boss to "fish out" the killer of the
traditional leader and ensure justice.