The Lagos State Government has shuttered the doors of the Lekki Conservation Centre, a popular tourist destination and nature reserve, following a viral video highlighting its dire state of disrepair.
The video, posted by a visitor, captured the crumbling canopy walk bridge and other neglected areas, sparking public outcry and prompting immediate action from the authorities.
The decision to close the center for repairs signifies a swift response to concerns raised by the viral clip. The Lagos State Safety Commission, in a statement issued on Tuesday, acknowledged the video and emphasized the need for urgent maintenance to ensure visitor safety.
According to the statement, officials of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Lagos State Safety Commission visited the reserve in response to the viral video.
The statement further revealed that the broken section of the bridge had been repaired, however, the reserve would remain shut for “further routine maintenance.”
It read, “The Lagos State Government has observed with displeasure a viral video by a concerned tourist on a broken segment of the long canopy walkway within the Lekki Conservation Centre.
“While inspecting the centre, officials of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe, in conjunction with the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, discovered that the broken segment had already been repaired and restored to normal.
“However, the site would remain shut for further routine maintenance.
“The Director,-General of the Centre, Prof Mathew Onoja, appreciated the State Government for its intervention after the viral video, which first circulated in December.
“He said the centre will remain safety conscious and will abide by the directives of the State Government.
“The Ministry would like to assure the general public that the Lagos State Government is committed to the safety and well-being of citizens at all tourist locations within the state and would take further steps to see that all safety standards are met before the centre is reopened.”
