Lekki Conservation Centre Under Scrutiny by Lagos State Government Amid Safety Concerns
LAGOS/Nigeria: In a bid to ensure safety standards at the Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC), various arms and agencies of the Lagos State Government have conducted inspection tours of the renowned 78-hectare forest reserve and wetland located at the heart of the Lekki Peninsula.
According to a statement released by the Director-General of the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), Dr. Joseph Onoja, the LCC, owned and managed by NCF, welcomed several high-level delegations from the Lagos State Government. These visits aimed to assess the state of the facilities following safety concerns raised in a viral video.
The initial inspection took place on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, with a delegation comprising the Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism, Hon Idris Aregbe, among others. Dr. Onoja personally guided the delegation on a comprehensive three-hour tour of the facility, showcasing various attractions, including the renowned 401-meter-long canopy walkway.
During this visit, Hon. Aregbe commended the maintenance culture and safety measures implemented at the LCC, noting the nine-year accident-free record of the canopy walkway. However, he emphasized the need for addressing new safety priorities and areas requiring repairs before the center’s reopening.
Subsequent inspections followed, with a team from the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture conducting a follow-up visit on Saturday, January 27, led by Mr. Frank Legunsen, Deputy Director of Research. This was closely followed by a comprehensive inspection by the Lagos State Safety Commission on Wednesday, January 30, led by Dr. Ehi Iden, a Senior Consultant.
Additionally, a high-powered delegation from the Lagos State House of Assembly, headed by Hon. Bonu Solomon, Chairman of the House Committee on Tourism, Arts & Culture, visited the LCC on the same day. The purpose of their visit was to assess ongoing maintenance efforts and safety measures at the center.
Dr. Onoja addressed the concerns raised by the government officials, stating that the recent incident did not escape their attention. He assured that immediate action was taken by a team of technicians to address the issue, and the canopy walkway was repaired within 30 minutes of its occurrence.
Highlighting the importance of periodic maintenance, Dr. Onoja emphasized the commitment of NCF to ensuring the safety of visitors, noting the center’s accident-free reputation since its opening in 2015. He announced that the planned reopening of the center, initially scheduled for February 1, 2024, would be postponed until February 20, pending approval from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, and the Lagos State Safety Commission.
These thorough inspections underscore the Lagos State Government’s dedication to upholding safety standards and preserving the integrity of one of Nigeria’s foremost environmental and sustainability landmarks, the Lekki Conservation Centre.
