The Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC) has been forced to close immediately by the Lagos State Government.
This happens in response to a visitor who expressed concern about the condition of the facility’s canopy walkway on social media.
Additionally, the State Government mandated large and quick repairs in the impacted areas.
The safety of Lagos residents is the state government’s top priority at all times, according to Lanre Omojola, the director general of the Lagos State Safety Commission, who led a team on a visit to the centre yesterday, January 23.
Nevertheless, it was discovered that the problematic canopy walkway had been fixed during the visit.
However, in response to the news, the Lekki Conservation-Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) management issued the following statement: “Our attention has been drawn to a video making the rounds about an incident that happened on December 16, 2023, of one broken metal brace on the canopy walkway at the Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC). Prior to the festive peak period, we had conducted pre-festive maintenance from December 4-13, 2023.
“It is with the utmost sense of responsibility that we state that it did not fall on our blind spot. In line with our response protocol, the team of technicians swung into action immediately, closed the canopy walkway to tourists and repaired it that day.”
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The Foundation asserted that its technicians are well-trained and possess the necessary knowledge to run and maintain the facility and that they were a members of the team that built the canopy walkway.
It said: “With safety on the canopy walkway assured, we were prepared to host our respected guests, both local and international, to an enjoyable Yuletide that went on without any negative incident on the canopy walkway.
“LCC plays host to many visitors, and the facility is not immune from expected wear and tear. Yet, we have maintained an accident-free reputation on Africa’s longest canopy walk since the official opening of the facility in 2015. This is due to the diligence of our expert technicians and maintenance members of staff, as well as other relevant stakeholders, including our vigilant visitors.”
Speaking on the subject, Oladapo Soneye, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of NCF, emphasised that the Centre has been officially closed for regular maintenance since January 16, 2024, and that it is in accordance with the foundation’s safety protocol to maintain its facilities on a regular basis, particularly after festive seasons like the Yuletide season.
“Kindly bear with us in this period of temporary closure for the purpose of thorough facility maintenance. We shall reopen to the public on February 1, 2024. We remain dedicated to the ideals of conservation of nature, protection of species, restoring and maintaining biodiversity for the present and future generations, and showcasing same to all lovers of nature with safety and serenity assured,” he said.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli