The Chairman of Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, Dr Bayo Adefuye, has reassured residents of the Makoko community protesting against displacement that the council is taking steps to ease their hardship and safeguard their welfare.
Adefuye, a former Sole Administrator of the council, was responding to questions on the recent protest by some Makoko residents at the Lagos State House of Assembly over their relocation from areas beneath high-tension power lines.
He explained that the issue predated his administration, stressing that living under power transmission lines poses serious health and safety risks.
“The matter has been on long before I came on board. People are not supposed to live under power lines. It is very dangerous. They have been informed for some time that they need to relocate because of the risks involved,” he said.
The chairman, who also served as a member of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, noted that prolonged exposure to electromagnetic radiation from high-tension cables could result in severe health conditions, including cancer and tumours.
“Over time, when people start falling ill or dying, it is often attributed to spiritual causes without realising that the real problem is the location. I have gone there personally to speak with them and explain this,” he added.
Adefuye assured that the council would not abandon the affected residents, saying efforts were ongoing to provide palliatives and moral support.
“As a local council, we are doing what we can to alleviate the situation by providing food palliatives, some financial assistance and words of encouragement. We want them to know that government cares and that we are all in this together,” he said.
He also disclosed that the council was working to ensure the affected residents were captured in ongoing electronic registration processes so they could benefit from government interventions.
While he did not give a specific figure for the number of affected residents, Adefuye said Makoko had a large population.
“They are many. I do not want to put a specific number right now because it may not be accurate. What is important is that we are addressing the situation and we will not sleep on the matter,” he said.
Looking ahead to 2026, the chairman described the year as one that would be “bigger and better,” promising to build on his administration’s developmental agenda, tagged Yaba Tuntun.
“Last year, we introduced Yaba Tuntun, our developmental agenda, and I thank God it was well received. It has even become popular beyond Yaba,” he said.
He added that the council plans to scale up empowerment programmes, food support, road construction and healthcare delivery.
“This year, we intend to do more in empowerment, ensure our people receive food and encouragement, construct more roads and make sure our primary healthcare centres are well serviced,” Adefuye said.