The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has begun the demolition of distressed buildings in Lagos Island, Mushin and other areas of the state.
The General Manager of LASBCA, Gbolahan Oki, announced the development in a statement that was posted on the state’s official website, seen by News About Nigeria.
Oki went on to explain that the decision was made as part of the agency’s routine mandate to reduce the frequency of building collapses and the number of avoidable deaths among Lagos residents.
Arc. Oki, who was represented during the evacuation exercise by the Director of Enforcement, LASBCA, Olusoji Olaopa, spoke about the initial efforts made to ensure that the occupants of the affected buildings vacated the distressed structures. He said that the agency had earlier declared the building to be unfit for habitation and the occupants were expected to have vacated the building for their safety and the safety of others nearby.
Oki explained that the evacuation and partial demolition exercise was the agency’s last action before the final demolition, adding that the agency’s actions were required in order to force the occupants of the damaged buildings to move to safer residences.
Assuring that the exercise was conducted in accordance with the applicable laws and not as a witch hunt for anyone, he claimed that the distressed buildings were identified based on inspection and monitoring exercises carried out by relevant Supervising Directors attached to various Districts across the State.
“The administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu frowns at the avoidable loss of lives and property of residents of the State. It is time for Lagosians to take their safety seriously and avoid blaming government at all times,” Oki said.
Oki assured Lagosians that the agency will relentlessly continue to pursue its vision and goal of ensuring that all buildings across the State are fit for habitation and constitute no risk to other nearby structures.
