By Sodiq Adelakun
A traffic standstill occurred on Tuesday in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State due to the closure of the entry and exit gates of Banana Island.
This closure led to a massive traffic jam across the Lekki-Ajah axis, Park View Estate, Foreshore, and other parts of Ikoyi, leaving motorists stranded for several hours. Residents and visitors were not allowed to enter or leave the area.
The shutdown is believed to be linked to the proposed demolition of the Banana Club House.
A viral video circulated, showing stranded motorists with some individuals guarding the estate’s gates.
However, there was confusion over the agencies responsible for the closure. Some sources attributed the action to federal government agencies, while others claimed it was the responsibility of the state government.
When reached for comment, officials from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABCA) denied involvement in the operation. LABCA’s Public Affairs Officer, Adu Ademuyiwa, stated, “It is not true.
Ademuyiwa reiterated the Lagos State government’s commitment to enforcing urban planning laws, noting that the General Manager of LABCA, Gbolahan Oki, had stated that illegal structures, especially those under high-tension power lines or in restricted shoreline areas, would eventually face demolition.
Also, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, the Director of Press and Public Affairs at the Lagos State Taskforce, also denied that their agency conducted any operation at Banana Island, confirming that their role was only to provide backup during enforcement actions.
This incident comes shortly after the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, urged owners of federal government properties in Lagos to pay their ground rents.
The Minister emphasised the importance of adhering to land and estate management laws to safeguard and enhance the value of federal assets.
Dangiwa also revealed plans for a joint committee with the Lagos state government to address ongoing land disputes and create a coordinated approach to land administration in the state.