Banana Island Shut Down: No Entry,No Exit

The gates of Banana Island in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State were closed on Tuesday, causing traffic jams on the Lekki-Ajah axis and other nearby areas.

Rumors suggest the shutdown might be linked to the planned demolition of the Banana Club House. A video that went viral on Tuesday showed many vehicles stuck in long queues at the estate gates, which were crewed by several people.

Confusion Over Responsible Authorities 

There is uncertainty about which government agency is responsible for the shutdown. Some sources suggest federal agencies, while others believe state agencies were involved.

Government Response 

After a viral message claimed that a “Lagos State Govt agency has just shut down Banana Island — disallowing residents and visitors from entering or leaving,” our reporter contacted the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA). However, LABSCA denied their involvement.

In response to these frustrations, LABSCA spokesperson Adu Ademuyiwa stated, “It is not true. Our men are not there. We have not stopped any residents or visitors from entering their estate on Banana Island. We will announce publicly when it’s time to demolish any illegal buildings there.”

Government’s Commitment to Urban Planning 

Recent reports indicate that the government intends to demolish illegal structures on Banana Island as part of enforcing urban planning laws and ensuring public safety.

Gbolahan Oki, the General Manager of LABSCA, noted that similar actions have been taken in other parts of the state, such as Abule Egba, Iya Niba, and Iyana Isheri, where illegal buildings under high-tension lines were removed.

Oki further clarified in a recent stakeholders’ meeting about Banana Island that buildings violating building codes, especially those under high-tension power lines or in restricted shoreline areas, would be identified and demolished.