Officials of Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, has commenced the demolition of distressed Milton Montessori school located at Jide Street, off Odunsi Street in Bariga area of the State by making the building inhabitable for the occupants.
The enforcement and demolition gang of LASBCA embarked on ‘toking’ the building on Friday by removing the windows of the building as part of the pre-demolition step, pending when the structure would eventually be pulled down completely.
The Director of Enforcement, LASBCA, Mr. Kayode Olaopa who led the exercise, explained that the urgency of the dilapidated state of the building informed the decision of the State Government to swing into action swiftly and prevent loss of lives and properties.
He observed that despite the vacation notice earlier issued to the occupants of the structure after observing its defective state, the management of the school still continued housing school children, thereby exposing the pupils and the staffs to imminent danger.
The Director said: ” What our officials have done here today is a proactive step to ensure safety of lives and properties. We don’t have to wait for disasters to happen but instead we nip any disaster in waiting in the bud such that reported cases of building collapse can reduce drastically.
“In this particular case, a school that houses several number of children is involved. The risk is even higher because these are toddlers who cannot even scamper for safety incase anything happen.”
Olaopa who said that the building is already tilting, showing visible and physical signs of being distressed, insisted that the building must undergo a controlled demolition process in order to save lives and prevent avoidable calamity on children and the workers.
The Director of Enforcement informed that plans have already been perfected to bring the building to ground zero so that it will not further pose threat to other structures around it or result into any form of casualty.
He advised property owners across the State to always show concern for the safety and wellbeing of others, as against being keen about profit making alone or the drive to remain in business.
Adetayo Akitoye-Asagba
Head, Public Affairs Unit (LASBCA)
16/6/2022.