After months of tension and demolitions, a fragile peace has been brokered between the Lagos State Government and the Makoko community, paving the way for the controversial 'Water City' regeneration project.

The excavators have stopped, at least for now. In a breakthrough meeting held at the Lagos State House of Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja, representatives of the waterfront communities of Makoko, Sogunro, and Oko Agbon have reached a five-point agreement with the government. This truce brings a temporary end to the waves of demolition that have left thousands homeless and sparked international outrage.

The Deal on the Table

The agreement, mediated by the House Adhoc Committee on Rules and Business, centers on the proposed "Water City" project—a massive urban regeneration plan envisioned by the state. While residents initially viewed this as a land grab designed to displace the poor for luxury real estate, the new accord promises inclusivity.

"We have agreed that development must not come at the cost of our humanity," said Chief Abraham Mesu, the Baale of Sogunro Community. Under the terms, a 10-man committee comprising community members will be established to conduct a "self-enumeration" of the affected properties. This data will be cross-checked with government records to ensure fair compensation and resettlement.

A Vision of Venice or Displacement?

The government paints the Water City as a transformation of the slum into a modern, sanitary aquatic settlement, often comparing it to a "African Venice." Dr. Olajide Babatunde, Special Adviser on GIS and Urban Renewal, assured the meeting that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is committed to ending the squalor without erasing the community's heritage.

• The Conditions: The community has agreed to halt any rebuilding of demolished structures pending the finalization of the plan. In return, the government has promised to provide an aerial survey within one month to clearly define the project boundaries.
• Trust Deficit: Despite the handshake, skepticism remains high. Civil society groups warn that "regeneration" is often a code word for gentrification. The community's demand is simple: Upgrade us, do not uproot us.

For the residents of Makoko, who live on stilts above the murky waters of the Lagos Lagoon, this agreement is a lifeline. But it is a fragile one. The success of the Water City project will depend not on architectural blueprints, but on the government's fidelity to its word.