Lagos State earmarked $2 million for water city development. For Makoko residents. After demolishing their homes.

Planning after displacement. Alternative housing after homelessness.

Sequence matters.

Makoko demolition displaced hundreds. Homes destroyed. Families scattered. Government cited illegal structures, environmental hazards, urban planning needs.

Valid concerns exist. Waterfront settlement faces flooding, sanitation challenges, safety risks.

But demolish-then-plan leaves people homeless while plans develop. Plan-then-relocate provides alternatives before displacement.

Lagos chose demolish first.

Now announces $2 million for water city where displaced families could eventually relocate. Eventually. Someday. Meanwhile—they're homeless.

The $2 million water city sounds innovative. Formal waterfront settlement with infrastructure. If implemented well, addresses Makoko's challenges while providing better living conditions.

But comes after displacement, not before.

Proper sequencing: build water city, relocate families, transform vacated area.

Quick sequencing: demolish, then build.

Lagos chose quick. Displaced families bear the cost.

Where are Makoko residents now? Living with relatives. Renting rooms. Sleeping rough. Waiting for promised alternatives that might arrive—someday.

This pattern repeats. Lagos demolishes informal settlements. Promises alternatives. Alternatives arrive late or never. Displaced families cope meanwhile.

The $2 million is good news. But arriving after demolition shows priorities: clearing land over housing people.

Development over welfare. Outcomes over process.

For Lagos government, demolish-first seems efficient. Remove impediment, then develop.

For displaced families, it's trauma. Lose home, wait indefinitely for promise, cope however possible.