The Lagos State House of Assembly has thrown its weight behind the state government’s proposed Water City project, following deliberations with representatives of waterfront communities recently affected by demolition exercises.
The endorsement came after a stakeholders’ meeting held Tuesday evening, the 10th of February, 2026, at the Assembly Complex in Alausa, Ikeja, where lawmakers and community leaders agreed on a five-point resolution concerning the future of the impacted areas.
Leaders from Makoko, Sogunro and Oko Agbon waterfront communities participated in the discussions.
Addressing journalists after the session, the Chairman of the Adhoc Committee on Rules and Business and Majority Leader of the House, Mr Noheem Adams, said the Water City initiative is structured to safeguard the long-term welfare of residents in the affected communities.
Adams revealed that the state government plans to constitute a 10-member committee comprising representatives from the communities to undertake a self-enumeration of properties affected by the demolitions.
He stated that the panel has a two-week timeline to complete the enumeration and forward its report to the Adhoc Committee for assessment.
The Majority Leader emphasised that the process must be transparent and accurate, stressing that data submitted by community representatives would be cross-checked with existing government records to ensure credibility.
He further instructed stakeholders in Makoko to forward the names of their nominees to the House once the committee is formally established.
Responding to the resolutions reached, the Baale of Sogunro Community, Chief Abraham Mesu, praised the Lagos Assembly’s intervention, describing it as both timely and reassuring. He expressed optimism that the Water City initiative could transform living standards while keeping indigenous residents actively involved in the redevelopment.
READ ALSO: Lagos Govt, Police Slammed Over Demolition Protest Arrests
While admitting that the demolition exercise had caused hardship, Mesu reiterated the community’s willingness to collaborate with the state government in pursuit of a lasting and sustainable solution.
In the same vein, the Baale of Makoko Waterfront, Chief Emmanuel Shemade, disclosed that community leaders had resolved to suspend reconstruction of demolished structures pending further directives from authorities. He welcomed the assurances given at the meeting, especially commitments that redevelopment efforts would not displace residents from their ancestral homes.
Shemade also applauded the government’s pledge to release an aerial survey image within one month to clearly define the scope of the demolished sections.
Earlier during the engagement, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Geographic Information Services, Dr Olajide Babatunde, explained that the Water City proposal is part of a comprehensive regeneration plan targeting waterfront settlements.
According to him, the initiative was driven by concerns over overcrowding and poor living conditions, adding that arrangements have been put in place to ensure that affected residents are duly compensated.