The Lagos State Building Control Agency has advised residents of the Makoko community to vacate buildings situated directly beneath high-tension power lines.
LASBCA warned of the dangers of electrocution, fire outbreaks and structural hazards.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki, issued the warning in Lagos while briefing journalists on Tuesday on recent enforcement exercises.
According to Oki, structures erected under power lines not only breach physical planning regulations but also undermine the state’s long-term goals of urban safety and environmental sustainability.
“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 said.
He explained that LASBCA has engaged stakeholders, including traditional rulers and community leaders, to highlight the risks and secure their cooperation.
A video of one such meeting was shown to journalists, with Oki noting that community leaders themselves acknowledged the need for residents to vacate.
“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,” he stressed.
Oki cautioned against politicising the enforcement process, revealing that some residents had resisted compliance in the belief that political considerations would halt government action.
“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,” he added.
He urged the media to help sensitise the public, pointing out that while waterfront living exists in other countries, it is done in an organised and safe manner—not beneath power lines.
The state government, he said, remains committed to safeguarding lives, improving the environment, and enforcing urban planning laws.
Lagos introduced a building permit amnesty programme in 2024, enabling owners of unapproved structures to regularise documents.
Out of 18,489 applications submitted, 8,856 permits were issued before the programme ended in December 2024.
Since then, the government has begun clearing unsafe structures, starting with Oworonshoki, and has signalled that Makoko will face similar enforcement to protect lives and restore order.
