By Uche Mbah
The Lagos state government has continued its sealing of houses it considers inappropriately planned in high brow Banana Island as it has sealed 19 more buildings bringing the total number of buildings sealed to 34.
The state government started the process of sealing buildings Wednesday, June 10, 2020.
The exercise, which was led by the Lagos state commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban development, Idris Salako, claims it is in furtherance to the efforts of the state government to control physical development and engender a livable and sustainable environment in the state.
All buildings marked are said to have been built in violation of planning laws, and therefore dangers to human habitation. But speculations are rife that the marked buildings may never be demolished as the owners are reaching out to the government on the way forward for both parties. Sources within the Island accuse the government of trying to use the demolition threat to “extort money from the owners. “In the end, nothing go happen as long as the owners play ball”, a source said.
Banana Island is a haven for the nouveau rich in the society and harbors the money bags in Lagos state. It is a zone for the high and mighty and many millionaires from across the country have their home there. It has hitherto been regarded as an untouchable zone, as real estate cost runs into billions of naira. Most houses, however, are evaluated in dollars.
But Salako was reported as decrying the encroachment by some developers in the planned lagoon highway, notifying of government intention to nip the development in the bud.
Meanwhile, there are reports that some of the government seals on some properties are being broken by the owners without recourse to government, in defiance. This has fueled speculations that some of the owners are holding the state government in disdain. Some of the officials are said to be harassed during the sealing process, a situation the state government decries, but seems to have taken no action against.
The operation is expected to continue this week.
