The Lagos State Government on Monday said about $10 million was being planned for the regeneration of Makoko, a waterfront community in Lagos.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on E-GIS, Dr Olajide Babatunde, made this known while briefing the press at Alausa, Ikeja, on recent incidents involving Makoko.
Olajide said the state government was committing $2 million, while the United Nations was committing up to $8 million to the project.
The special adviser explained that a water city project was being planned for the fishing community in Makoko, but noted that the project had not been kick-started.
According to him, what the government had done so far was to remove structures on the power line setback to avert tragedy in the event that an electric wire drops in the water.
‘So, Mr Governor committed $2 million and we are expecting $8 million counterpart funding from the United Nations. But I’m sure we all know what is happening today — funds are no longer readily available from most donor agencies’.
He said the government was calling on its international partners and business organisations within and outside Nigeria for support.
He added that Makoko residents had been properly engaged, not only by the government but also by the United Nations consultants.
According to him, the government had two plans for Makoko — a shoreline extension and a water city project. He said experts and public commentators had advised against the shoreline extension project over environmental concerns.
‘So we are left with the water city project, and we have committed $2 million to it. It is the only one that is environmentally friendly.
‘The exact location of the Makoko water city project is where the fishing community is. So it has not been tampered with. Any area taken out is only within the high-tension corridor’, he said.
Makoko residents protested at the Lagos State House of Assembly last week over the demolition of structures carried out by the state government in their area.
They demanded compensation for the government’s action.
The PUNCH also reported that a committee from the Assembly is set to meet with Makoko community representatives this week over the demolitions.
