{"id":3854,"date":"2024-11-26T11:35:51","date_gmt":"2024-11-26T11:35:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/english\/makoko-hard-life-on-sewage-water\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T06:56:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T06:56:25","slug":"makoko-hard-life-on-sewage-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/english\/makoko-hard-life-on-sewage-water\/","title":{"rendered":"Makoko: Hard Life on Sewage Water!"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<p><strong>Makoko is a unique settlement in the world, located in Lagos, Nigeria. This floating slum, where hundreds of thousands of people live, attracts attention with its structures built on the waters of the Lagos Lagoon. However, this life on water brings with it serious difficulties.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The lack of a sewage system causes waste to mix directly with the lagoon waters, while the lack of access to clean water and basic infrastructure services makes the lives of Makoko residents even more difficult. <strong>The world&#8217;s largest floating neighborhood<\/strong>presents both a unique story of endurance and a human tragedy awaiting resolution.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Makoko2-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15078\" title=\"\"><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>From a Historical Fishing Village to a Floating City<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Located in Lagos, Nigeria&#8217;s crowded metropolis <strong>makoko<\/strong>It is known as one of the most striking floating slums in the world. This unique residential area, home to tens of thousands of people, is filled with structures built almost entirely over water. From homes to schools, from hospitals to social areas, all life is shaped on the waters of the Lagos Lagoon.<\/p>\n<p>Makoko has its origins in people who migrated to Lagos in the late 19th century. <strong>Egun ethnic community<\/strong>It is based on. This area, which was initially established as a fishing village, expanded towards the water over time due to population growth and land deficiency. Nowadays, Makoko has grown into a huge neighborhood consisting of six different districts and growing above the water.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"615\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15079\" src=\"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Makoko4.jpg\" data-lazy- title=\"\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"615\" src=\"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Makoko4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15079\" title=\"\"><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Makoko in Numbers: Population and Living Conditions<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>makoko<\/strong>Although there is no clear data on how many people live in , it is estimated that approximately 300,000 people live in this floating neighborhood. In Makoko, which is an informal settlement, there are almost no infrastructure services. Even basic services such as electricity, clean water and sewerage are a luxury for the local people.<\/p>\n<p>Although most of the local people try to make a living by fishing, this is not enough to improve their living conditions. Unemployment remains one of Makoko&#8217;s biggest problems. In addition, the insufficient number of schools and hospitals in the neighborhood makes access to basic needs such as health and education very difficult.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15080\" src=\"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Makoko8.webp\" data-lazy- title=\"\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Makoko8.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15080\" title=\"\"><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Eviction Debates: A Story of Destruction<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>makoko<\/strong>comes to the fore from time to time with the regional government&#8217;s attempts to demolish the neighborhood. It is known that approximately 30,000 people have become homeless as a result of evacuation steps to date. However, there is still no comprehensive plan for a healthy evacuation of the region. Despite all these problems, Makoko continues to be one of the most interesting settlements in the world with its floating houses and unique lifestyle.<\/p>\n<p>Despite struggling with serious problems, Makoko stands out with its resilience and originality. International non-governmental organizations and local initiatives continue their work to ensure that local people can reach better living conditions. But the future of this charming neighborhood depends on how to balance improvement projects and eviction policies.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15081\" src=\"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Makoko5-1024x576.webp\" data-lazy- title=\"\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Makoko5-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15081\" title=\"\"><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A Society Living on Sewage Water<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>makoko<\/strong>While attracting attention with its floating structures on the Lagos Lagoon, it struggles with a serious problem that negatively affects living conditions: the lack of a sewage system. Since there is no central infrastructure in the neighborhood, waste mixes directly with the lagoon waters. This situation greatly threatens not only the environment but also public health.<\/p>\n<p>Most of the houses and social areas built on wooden poles are located on these dirty waters. Limited access to clean water and inadequate hygiene conditions make living standards in the neighborhood even more difficult. While the people of Makoko are waiting for support to solve these basic problems, they continue their struggle to survive on water.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15082\" src=\"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Makoko11-1024x683.jpg\" data-lazy- title=\"\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Makoko11-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15082\" title=\"\"><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Makoko: A History Bearing the Traces of Difficult Struggles<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Located right on the edge of Lagos, Nigeria and visible from the 3rd Mainland Bridge, Makoko is not only a living space, but also a community bearing the traces of a fascinating history and difficult struggles. This settlement, consisting of structures supported by piles both on land and above the Lagos Lagoon, has a unique character.<\/p>\n<p>The coastal part of Makoko is inhabited by the Egun people, known for their fishing tradition. This community settled in the region by migrating mainly from Benin Republic and Badagry. On the waterways, one-third of the community lives in houses rising on stilts above the lagoon.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15083\" src=\"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Makoko1-1024x683.jpg\" data-lazy- title=\"\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Makoko1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15083\" title=\"\"><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p>Although there is no clear data about the population of Makoko, it is estimated to have a population of approximately 85,840 people. However, this figure is thought to be much higher because it is not included in official censuses. In 2012, the Lagos State Government decided to demolish some piled structures in Makoko. This action, which began just 72 hours after notification of the demolition, left many families homeless and led to the displacement of approximately 3,000 people.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Meaning of Makoko&#8217;s Name and Reconstruction Efforts<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The name of the community means \u201cChoose Akoko\u201d in Yoruba. In Yoruba culture, \u201cAkoko\u201d leaves are seen as a symbol of fertility and are also used in chief coronation ceremonies. Historically, these leaves grew abundantly in Makoko, which gave the region this name.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"945\" height=\"629\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15084\" src=\"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Makoko9.jpg\" data-lazy- title=\"\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"945\" height=\"629\" src=\"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Makoko9.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15084\" title=\"\"><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p>Following the demolitions, a number of initiatives were launched to reshape Makoko&#8217;s future. Organizations such as Urban Spaces Innovation have prepared an innovative plan for the region in collaboration with international experts. This plan, submitted to the Lagos State Government in 2014, aimed to preserve the cultural fabric of Makoko and improve its living conditions.<\/p>\n<p>Today, Makoko continues to attract worldwide attention both for the challenges she faces and her unique lifestyle. While the residents of the region struggle to establish a balance between modernization and local culture, they look to the future with hope with their strong belonging to their communities. Makoko is not just a slum; It is an integral part of Lagos&#8217; identity.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15085\" src=\"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Makoko10-1024x683.jpg\" data-lazy- title=\"\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Makoko10-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15085\" title=\"\"><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p><strong>To join our WhatsApp group <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/GcUb561wzz44AcjKoMQHY6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>CLICK!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><h5>Share<\/h5>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Makoko is a unique settlement in the world, located in Lagos, Nigeria. This floating slum, where hundreds of thousands of people live, attracts attention with its structures built on the waters of the Lagos Lagoon. However, this life on water brings with it serious difficulties. The lack of a sewage system causes waste to mix &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3855,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[4291,1809,4290,4292,1381],"class_list":["post-3854","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-genel","tag-hard","tag-life","tag-makoko","tag-sewage","tag-water"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3854","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3854"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3854\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3855"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3854"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3854"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kasifiz.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3854"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}