The Lagos State Government has commenced the re-channelisation and re-alignment of the Banana Island shoreline, with the dredging and re-opening of the illegally reclaimed portion of the Creek at 101 Close, First Avenue on the Island.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Arc. Kabiru Ahmed Abdullahi, on Wednesday.
While inspecting the reopening of the creek, Abdullah explained that there was an urgent need to nip the land extension work in the bud.
READ: Lagos warn against unlawful ownership transfer of state housing units
According to him, the extension has narrowed the creek and brought about distortion in the aesthetics of the shoreline as well as a high possibility of environmental degradation.
The Commissioner stated that perpetrators of the illegal reclamation into the Lagoon violate the Physical Planning laws of the State, adding that they had been served with ‘Stop Work’ orders but persisted in the reclamation and construction.
He said, “State Government will not fold its arms and watch the degradation of its environment and attendant risk to life and property of the citizenry.
“The demolition, as well as dredging and channelisation works on the illegally reclaimed lands, will continue at Banana Island and other shoreline areas of Lagos in order to restore sanity.”
READ: Lagos State launches Joint Revenue Committee for efficient tax administration
The Lagos State Government today began the re-channelisation and re-alignment of Banana Island shoreline with the dredging and reopening of the illegally reclaimed portion of the Creek at 101 Close, First Avenue, Banana Island.@jidesanwoolu @drobafemihamzat @gbenga_omo#LASG pic.twitter.com/cG92uUH7pN
— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) February 10, 2021
What you should know
- The State Government commenced the demolition of buildings that contravened the building laws and regulations in Banana Island on Monday.
- At 102 Close, K Zone, a section of the lagoon has been reclaimed with just the provision of narrow drainage for water to flow. As a result, the concrete and perimeter fence erected facing the lagoon were pulled down, while the building was sealed and the gate locked.
- At 306 Close, a two-storey building under construction was pulled down for not getting an approval to build, as the development encroached on the state shoreline.
- It would also be recalled that the Lagos State Government had sealed off 22 buildings in the Banana Island and Ikoyi axis of the state over lack of building permits and conformity issues.