Gridlock hits Lekki-Ajah, Ikoyi as Banana Island gates shut

There was chaos on Tuesday as the gates of Banana Island, located in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State, were shut for both entry and exit, causing severe gridlock along the Lekki-Ajah axis and other parts of Ikoyi.

The closure, which left many vehicles stranded in long queues, sparked speculation that it may be connected to the proposed demolition of the Banana Club House.

A viral video circulating online showed scores of vehicles stuck within the estate, while security personnel could be seen manning the gates, preventing movement in and out.

As of the time of filing this report, there were contradictory claims on the government agencies responsible for the development.

While some attributed it to agencies of the Federal Government, some others said agencies of the state government were responsible.

Inquiring about the blockage, our correspondent, after citing a viral broadcast message that the estate gates had been locked from residents, reached out to the Lagos State Building Control Agency, which denied being in the area.

The broadcast message which circulated on Tuesday read, “Lagos State Govt agency has just shut down Banana Island — disallowing residents and visitors from entering or leaving.”

Another claim corroborating the message on X by a user identified as #Nothingispromised said, “We love suffering in this country. So because government officials dey Banana Island, no car fit go in or out of the estate until they are gone? They have successfully created another crazy traffic that will affect Lekki and part of Ikoyi.”

Reacting, the spokesperson for LABSCA, Adu Ademuyiwa, noted that the claim that their officials are on the ground disrupting activities in the area is unfounded.

He said, “It is not true. Our men are not there. And we have not stopped any residents or visitors from entering their estate on Banana Island. When the time for the demolition of the illegal buildings in the area would be done, we will communicate it appropriately to the public.”

The PUNCH recently reports that the decision to demolish illegal structures on Banana Island would be followed by the government’s commitment to enforcing urban planning laws and ensuring public safety.

According to the agency’s General Manager, Gbolahan Oki, LASBCA has carried out similar actions in other parts of the state, including Abule Egba, Iya Niba, and Iyana Isheri, where illegal buildings under high-tension lines were removed.

The General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Gbolahan Oki, made this known at a stakeholders’ meeting on Banana Island recently.

He stated that structures found violating building codes, including those under high-tension power lines and within restricted shoreline areas, would be identified and subsequently demolished.

(Punch)