… Commends communal efforts, cooperation of residents
As part of the ongoing removal of distressed buildings, the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA has demolished a distressed building located at 47 Jebba Street in Ebute-Metta area of Lagos, just as it marked over ten others for demolition for being structurally defective and unsafe for habitation.
The General Manager of LASBCA, Arc. Gbolahan Oki who spoke during the demolition and enforcement exercise on Monday, commended the communal efforts of the community leaders, youths and residents of the areas for cooperating with the enforcement gang of the agency.
Other buildings marked for demolition before the end of the week by LASBCA are located at 37 Coates Street, 3, Ondo street, 14, Ondo Street, 16 church street, 13, Ibadan street, 3 Simpson street, 35 Jeba Street, 11 Jeba Street and 19 Ibadan Street.
He explained that the exercise was a proactive step by the Agency to prevent loss of lives and property due to avoidable building collapse.
He said that the move had become imperative to rid the State of inhabitable structures, promote standards and attain livable, organised and sustainable built environment.
“We urge the people to recognise the urgency in this matter as we cannot afford to wait for another building to collapse; because every distressed building is a disaster in waiting”, he said.
He stated further that ” occupants of distressed buildings will keep asking for more time before they vacate but the truth is that we cannot afford to wait in the matter of life and death”.
The General Manager averred that the explanation that people refused to vacate distressed buildings simply for cultural and emotional attachments was not tenable as such excuse could only encourage indiscriminate developers to continue to take their advantage.
He appealed to owners/occupiers of distressed buildings within the State to vacate immediately, most especially during the raining season which is associated with more cases of building collapse.
He urged Lagosians to emulate the conduct, cooperation and comportment of the youths and residents of Ebute-Metta who cooperated with government by reporting distresed buildings within their areas to appropriate government agencies.
The General Secretary of the Association of Real Estate Developers of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, Builder Olumegbon Mutairu commended efforts of the State Government in redding the State of distressed buildings and promised the continued support of members of the association, especially by providing helpful information about the status of building across the State.
Adetayo Akitoye Asagba,
Head, Public Affairs (LASBCA)
9th May, 2022.