SANWO-OLU ORDERS DEMOLITION OF BUILDINGS ON BANANA ISLAND AND INDICTS THE FEDERAL HOUSING MINISTRY AND NIWA

Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered the destruction of three two-story structures in the affluent Ikoyi neighborhood of Banana Island.

Sanwo-Olu issued the order on Saturday while inspecting the site where a seven-story building collapsed two weeks ago.

According to NAN, the governor ordered the destruction of 310 Close because it was built without permission.

The governor ordered the destruction of two buildings close to one other at 306 Close because they were built beneath powerlines and water lines.

The governor blamed the April 12 incident on developers and other residents looking for quick money.

Sanwo-Olu also accused the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, of approving the Banana Island line extension.

He also stated that the Lagos building officers were not performing their duties efficiently, and that any found guilty would face sanctions.

"We have given an order to stop work, not only at this site but also in all of the construction sites in Banana Island.

'You have seen the extent of unapproved extension into the water. You can see that the original line for Banana Island is not even where we are.

"There are several extensions granted by both the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and NIWA. These are the federal agencies culpable," Sanwo-Olu added.

Following the latest failure, Abiodun Oyefusi, deputy gubernatorial candidate for the Labour Party in Lagos, demanded Sanwo-Olu to quit for "incompetence."

A 21-story skyscraper under construction on Gerrard Road, also in Ikoyi, collapsed in November 2021, killing hundreds of employees.

Chief Magistrate O. A. Komolafe, the Coroner, accused Lagos agencies, saying the structure's density and setback on the site were in violation of laws.