Lagos demolishes illegal Banana Island structure, warns against unapproved dredging
The Lagos State government on Saturday demolished an illegal structure on Banana Island, constructed on unauthorised reclaimed land to obstruct drainage paths.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, who led the exercise, also ordered the demolition of illegal fences.
Mr Olumide, accompanied by the general manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbolahan Oki, decried the rate at which property owners and developers disregarded building code, hence, the demolition to compel compliance.
The commissioner warned against illegal land reclamation, saying individuals did not have the right to reclaim without requisite permission from the ministry charged with that responsibility.
Mr Olumide said the demolished structure violated a suspension order issued by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during his assessment visit to the site earlier in the year.
He said it was discovered then that the developer illegally dredged the river to reclaim the land without recourse to any approving authority.
The commissioner warned that indiscriminate dredging activity in the area must stop because it violated planning laws and negatively impacts the state’s ecosystem.
Mr Oki said the construction site had been sealed three times, but the developers broke the government seal to continue working.
He said the developers did not have building plan approvals and did not have layout approvals.
Mr Oki advised residents to always carry out the necessary checks and documentation by visiting the district offices across local governments to get the right information.
He advised residents to get a Certificate of Occupancy and building plan approval or regularisation before moving to the site.
“My duty is to remove anything illegal,” he said.
Mr Oki said breaking the seals contravened the building code, adding that illegal land reclamation activities would be punished.
He said all buildings involved in unapproved shoreline extensions along the Lagos Waterfront would be demolished and their developers prosecuted.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Borno IDPs praise UNFPA for timely assistance with mini ambulances
The mini ambulances provide access to maternal health and strengthen referral mechanisms for gender-based violence (GBV) services, particularly in hard-to-reach locations.
Education
Zamfara gov’s wife laments dilapidation of girls’ school in Gusau
One of the dilapidated schools was among several secondary schools shut down by the immediate past administration because of security challenges.
States
INEC cautions parties against fake news ahead of November guber polls
The warning followed an accusation by the SDP that INEC was configuring BVAS machines at the Government House, Lokoja, to manipulate the state governorship election.
Abuja
AEPB continues demolition of shanties, illegal markets in FCT over insecurity
The authorities said most of those living in the shanties were without addresses and identification and this could produce challenges regarding insecurity.
Education
NUC approves take-off of 14 programmes at transportation varsity in Daura
The university vice-chancellor said the letter further stated that, “the approval does not cover the part-time mode of delivery of the programmes.”
NationWide
FG will provide affordable shelter to Nigerians, housing minister pledges
Ahmed Musa-Dangiwa, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, made the disclosure at an event in honour of his appointment by President Bola Tinubu.
