By Bisola Adeyemo
The Lagos State Government has pulled down some structures at Banana Island built without compliance with the state building law and regulations
News had it that residents are building without the approval and compliance of the state government
Addressing the issues after the Lagos State Enforcement Team demolished structures without compliance to the state building laws and regulations, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, said the enforcement became necessary because the government felt there was a need to do something to halt the growing illegality.
Other places visited by the (LSET) had been given the notice to stop -work by the Lagos State Building Control Agency. Despite the notice, construction work was still going on.
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 perimetre fence erected facing the lagoon were pulled down, while the building was sealed and the gate locked.
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Also at 306 Close, three two-story buildings under construction were pulled down for lack of approval to build, as the development encroached on the state shoreline.
Apart from buildings and fences that were pulled down during the enforcement exercise, two people caught doing illegal dredging activities within the area visited were also arrested.
Salako said that the government agencies LSBCA would continue to monitor and ensure that buildings are constructs based on laws and regulations of the state.
Speaking during the enforcement exercise, the Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure and Development, Mr. Kabiru Ahmed Abdullahi, said: “Enough is enough. We cannot continue to fold our arms and watch the degradation of the environment and continued blockage of the water channels on the waterfronts.
“We will clean it up and we will bring all the perpetrators of this act to book in line with the provisions of the laws.
“Banana Island has its original boundaries. And those original boundaries are recognised and approved. So any development or reclamation beyond those original boundaries would not be allowed.” he added.
