The federal government has ordered an immediate suspension of all land allocations and reclamation activities along the Lagos Lagoon shoreline, including Banana Island, as part of sweeping reforms to restore order and curb environmental degradation.

The move follows a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who mandated the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to streamline shoreline development processes and ensure compliance with approved urban plans.

In response, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has constituted a Joint Technical Inter-Ministerial Committee (JTMC) to review, examine and harmonise all approvals and developments along the shoreline. The committee is tasked with ensuring proper documentation, eliminating abuse, and aligning all activities with the Federal Government’s urban development goals.

According to a statement released by the Minister, all existing approvals issued by the Ministry for the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) must now be submitted to the Federal Controller of Housing in Lagos for verification and record-keeping.

Also, new requests for C of O, permits, and survey plans within the shoreline corridor have been put on hold pending further scrutiny by the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGOF).

The statement further revealed that any ongoing applications or attempts by allottees to extend land into the lagoon, particularly in Banana Island, must stop immediately. The measure aims to preserve the original design and layout of the highbrow area, while ensuring sustainable environmental practices.

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has also been directed to compile and submit all approvals previously granted to individuals and corporate bodies for shoreline developments to OSGOF as part of the ongoing harmonisation process.

The committee is expected to develop a comprehensive shoreline layout master plan in line with President Tinubu’s directive. All allocations and developments on the Lagos shoreline, including those in Banana Island, remain suspended until the committee concludes its work.

Dangiwa emphasised that the initiative underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s wetlands and curbing unregulated development along coastal corridors. He urged the public to take note of the new directive. (The Nation)