Lagos Pulls Down Distressed Buildings In Lagos Island

Lagos State Government has said that it is intensifying efforts to bring down incidences of building collapse as the rainy season approaches.

It said no effort would be spared in demolishing derelict buildings across the state.

The General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Gbolahan Oki, disclosed this during the demolition of distressed buildings located at, 17b, Odo Osun Street, Off Glover Street; and 20, Omididun Street, both on the Lagos Island on Sunday, 14th March.

A statement from the Assistant Director/Public Affairs, LASBCA, Gbadeyan Bello, titled ‘Building collapse: LABSCA, LASPPPA intensify preparations ahead of rains… Demolish more distressed buildings on Lagos Island, others’.

Oki said that the demolition exercise was performed on Sunday because of traffic congestion and for ease of moving the demolition equipment by officials of the agency.

He recalled that occupants of the buildings had been served several notices since 2019, with a reminder notice sent to them two weeks ago to vacate the buildings in order not to continue to endanger their lives and those of their neighbors.

He stated, “We must begin to be very civil in our approach to issues, especially when it borders on human lives, by not waiting until the worst happens.

“I find it very hard to believe that some people could still be pleading on behalf of occupants of these distressed buildings for more time from the government.”

While saying that the demolition exercise would go on across different parts of the state, Oki advised Lagosians to always build safely and prioritise their individual as well as collective safety, saying such considerations remain the major way of averting incessant building collapse.