The Lagos State House of Assembly has ordered an immediate suspension of the demolition exercise at the Makoko waterfront and adjoining communities.

The directive was announced on Tuesday by Hon. Noheem Adams, chairman of the ad-hoc committee set up by the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, following a stakeholders’ meeting at the Lateef Jakande Auditorium.

Adams said the House had resolved that all ministries and agencies must halt demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro with immediate effect, pending further notice.

He added that the Assembly also demanded details of the task force overseeing the exercise to ensure affected residents are properly involved and carried along.

He assured residents that demolitions would stop and that compensation would be paid to those whose properties had already been affected.

The announcement was met with loud approval from community members present at the meeting.

The Assembly’s intervention followed last week’s protest by displaced Makoko residents at the Assembly complex, a demonstration that reportedly led to heightened tension and the arrest of some activists.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government reiterated its commitment to compensating affected residents.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Special Adviser on E-GIS and Urban Renewal, Dr Babatunde Olajide, disclosed that the state had set aside $2 million since 2021 for the redevelopment of the Makoko waterfront to international standards.

Olajide said the redevelopment would be carried out “with a human face,” noting that enumeration of affected properties was ongoing and that safeguarding residents remained a priority.

Community leaders at the meeting welcomed the Assembly’s intervention, expressing satisfaction with the outcome and confidence in resolving their issues through dialogue with the government.