By Francis Ogwo
The Lagos State Government has suspended all approvals of dredgings and land extensions in the state.
The first hit by the suspension order is the lagoon at Banana Island and Osborne Foreshore, Ikoyi which reports say has withnessed a beehive of activities recently with various dredgings and extensions.
This was made known on Monday in a statement jointly signed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako and his counterpart in the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Arc. Kabiru Ahmed Abdullahi.
Reports say the decision stems from recent concerns raised by the state government over the illegal operations of developers in those areas which have resulted in gross violation of the Physical Planning laws of the state.
According to the statement, there has been increasing and continual degradation of the Lagos shoreline as a result of indiscriminate illegal dredging, reclamation and land extensions into the Lagos lagoon.
The statement from the commisisoner read:
“Of particular concern to the State Government are the extensions being illegally carried out at Banana Island and Osborne Foreshore, Ikoyi, pointing out that such land reclamation and extension activities had resulted in gross violation of the Physical Planning Laws of the State and impinged on the ecosystem of the entire area.’’
It was of the view that the indiscriminate illegal proliferation of dredging and reclamation practices had caused serious distortion in the aesthetics of the shoreline with high potential for causing environmental degradation capable of producing dire consequences if left unchecked.
The statement further said: “Government hereby suspends all existing, pending and subsequent approvals in respect of all Land Extensions into the Lagoon at Banana Island and Osborne Foreshore, Ikoyi.’’
The Lagos State Government also ordered the immediate cessation of all ongoing works, construction, reclamation and other similar activities in respect of extension approvals granted or being processed at Banana Island and Osborne Foreshore, Ikoyi.
It also noted that members of the public have been advised to comply forthwith with the Stop Work/Suspension Orders or risk facing criminal charges and the confiscation of their dredging equipment by the government.
Recall that the Lagos State government, for several months, has been on an enforcement drive of the state’s physical planning laws with a view to restoring order and prevent the distortion of the ecosystem of the entire state.
This has led to the pull-down of illegal structures or buildings that either did not get approval or did not conform to the approved building plan or physical planning laws.
Some of the areas affected by the exercise include Lekki Phase 1, Ikoyi, Magodo, Ogudu GRA, Ajao Estate, Ikeja and other highbrow areas of the state.
