The riverine community of Makoko, Lagos, Nigeria
I recall being fascinated by the view of settlements dispersed along the coast of Yaba during my journeys across the popular Third Mainland bridge. I often wondered how the settlement was established and how its residents have adapted to live in an environment that appears to be unconducive for habitation. In today's post, I will be focusing on Makoko, a riverine community located in Lagos, Nigeria.
A resident of the community and her child riding a canoe
Makoko is a riverine community that lies along the coast of Yaba, Lagos, and has been in existence since the 19th century. The community, which was initially intended to be a temporary settlement, was originally occupied by migrants from the neighbouring countries of Togo and Benin, who were mostly fishermen. Over time, other indigenous people from Nigeria, particularly the Eguns from Badagry, became part of the community. It is made up of six villages, four of which are located on the water, and the rest on land: Oko Agbon, Adogbo, Migbewhe, Yanshiwhe, Sogunro, and Apollo.
Houses in Makoko are constructed using wood and elevated on stilts
Fishing is one of the primary occupations in Makoko
The major languages spoken by the residents are Yoruba, English, French, and Egun. The predominant occupations in the community are fishing, fish mongering, and dredging. Most of the houses in the community are built on stilts and made of wood due to their location on the water. Social and economic activities in the community mostly occur in its waterways, which serve as transport and trade routes. The unique development of the community has sparked the interest of many individuals, often leading them to explore the area as tourists.
The environment in Makoko is filthy and surrounded by brackish water
Makoko, like many other communities, faces numerous challenges, with its unconducive environment being one of the most common. The community, which initially lacked proper planning, unfortunately developed into a slum. The absence of planning led to the indiscriminate building of structures across the community, worsened by residents' poor hygienic practices, substandard construction of buildings, and the community's proximity to water. These factors have made the community susceptible to diseases such as malaria and cholera, as well as unfavourable weather conditions like flooding and polluted air.
One of the few schools in the community
Another problem affecting the community is the lack of essential facilities like schools, hospitals, libraries, shopping centers, and security, among others. The absence of these amenities has significantly hindered economic progress in the community. Illiteracy, for instance, is prevalent in the area due to the limited number of schools and the poor quality of education provided. As a result, most residents lack the necessary formal training and skills to earn a decent income.
Healthcare facilities and personnel are unavailable in the community
The situation is also similar in the field of healthcare, which has continued to decline over the years in the community due to the unavailability of healthcare facilities. High rates of child mortality and outbreaks of various diseases are common in the area. Medical care, especially in emergencies, must be sought in other areas where it is available, posing a threat to sick residents and leading to fatalities in severe cases.
Criminal activities are prevalent in Makoko
The community also suffers from high crime rates due to insecurity, as there are no security agencies to maintain and enforce law and order. The consequences of this development have led to the engagement of youths in the area in illicit activities and the reluctance of non-native people to ply their trade there.
A trader going about her business on a canoe
Makoko is a community whose development has diverged from the vision of its pioneers. Despite numerous challenges that threaten its existence, with the support of the Lagos State government, the community can find innovative ways to overcome these obstacles. Every community deserves an opportunity to thrive and Makoko should not be an exception.
Have a splendid day folks,
Thanks for reading.
credit: click photo caption for image source.