Dr Bayo Adefuye, Chairman of Yaba Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, has reassured residents of Makoko community, protesting against displacement, that the council was taking steps to reduce their hardship and ensure their welfare.

Adefuye, a former Sole Administrator of the council, responded to questions on the protest by some Makoko residents at the Lagos State House of Assembly against their relocation from high-tension power lines.

He said the issue predated his administration, adding that living under power transmission lines posed 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.

Adefuye, a former Member of Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, said that prolonged exposure to electromagnetic radiation from high-tension cables could lead to serious health conditions, including cancer and tumours.

“Overtime, when people start falling ill or dying, it is attributed to spiritual causes without the realisation that the real problem is the location.

” I have gone there personally to speak with them and to explain this,” he added.

The chairman said the council would not abandon the affected residents, giving the assurance that efforts were ongoing to provide them with 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,” Adefuye said.

He added that the council was working to ensure that the residents were captured in ongoing electronic registration processes to enable them to benefit from government interventions.

He did not give the number of the affected residents, but said that Makoko had a high 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,” the chairman said.

On plans for the residents of the council area in 2026, the chairman said that the year would be “bigger and better” than the previous one.

He promised to build on his administration’s developmental agenda.

“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.

The chairman said that the council would 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,” he said.(NAN)