The Lagos State government took action on Saturday by demolishing an illegal structure on Banana Island. The structure was constructed on unauthorized reclaimed land, obstructing drainage paths. The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Oluyinka Olumide, led the exercise and also ordered the demolition of illegal fences. Mr. Gbolahan Oki, the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), accompanied him and expressed concern over the disregard for building codes by property owners and developers.

LASBCA is an agency supervised by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development. The commissioner warned against the illegal reclamation of land in the state, emphasizing that individuals do not have the right to reclaim land without permission from the responsible ministry. He stated that land reclamation is an exclusive right of the government, which carries out necessary tests through sand filling. He urged residents to follow the proper processes for land acquisition to avoid prosecution.

Olumide revealed that the demolished structure violated a suspension order issued by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during his visit to the site earlier in the year. It was discovered that the developer had illegally dredged the river to reclaim the land without obtaining approval from any authority. The commissioner also warned against indiscriminate dredging activities in the area, as they violate planning laws and have a negative impact on the state's ecosystem.

Mr. Gbolahan Oki, the General Manager of LASBCA, stated that the construction site had been sealed three times, but the developers broke the government seal to continue working. He noted that the developers did not have building plan approvals or layout approvals. Oki advised residents to visit district offices across local governments to obtain the necessary information and documentation before carrying out any construction. He emphasized that his duty is to remove anything illegal and that breaking the seals is a violation of the building code. He also stated that illegal land reclamation activities would be punished, and all buildings involved in unapproved shoreline extensions along the Lagos Waterfront would be demolished, with the developers prosecuted.

Oki urged all prospective building owners to ensure due diligence before construction, including obtaining the necessary documentation from relevant government agencies. The government's actions aim to enforce compliance with building codes and regulations, ensuring the safety and proper development of the state.

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