The Lagos State Government on Friday began the process toward removal of distressed buildings in the Alaba International Market in Ojo Local Government of the state.


The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the enforcement team of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and the Lagos State Task Force embarked on the joint exercise.

The team which went round to re-seal several buildings that had been marked with previous multiple quit seal notices by LASBCA, said the measure was to prevent disaster.


They advised occupants on the need to move out of the structurally defective buildings which they said had become too dangerous for habitation.

A NAN correspondent on the delegation observed that some of the buildings undergoing reconstruction were tilted.

Conducting journalists round, the enforcement director pointed out some storey buildings that were already sinking but being extended with additional floors.


The front row of shops of one of the sinking plazas was beautifully adorned with tiles and other materials while the back was tilted on marshy land.

Some of the traders who spoke with journalists alleged that they had made some payments toward obtaining building approvals before embarking on renovations.

Responding to the situation, the General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Mr Gbolahan Oki, told journalists that the government was going to demolish it to save lives.


Oki said he usually panicked every time it rained because of the likelihood of any such buildings collapsing to cause mayhem.

He said the government valued the lives of residents which were more precious than the cost of any property.

According to him, the government was taking a proactive step and will demolish about 17 of the buildings which were not part of the 349 widely publicised for demolition.

Oki said the occupants had been served a series of notices since 2016 to carry out some necessary actions but they had been adamant and resorted to harassment of enforcement officials.


He added that the agency had to seek the help of the Lagos State Task Force because the occupants constantly used thugs to assault LASBCA officials whenever they embarked on enforcement.

The general manager said he had suddenly developed a phobia for rain because of the constant fear of defective buildings collapsing hence the proactive step to save lives.

“All those buildings are going to go down between now and Monday. LASBCA has given them enough notice.

“Everybody that lives in Lagos State, their lives are worth more than the cost of any building or the cost anybody is going to make on it .

“This is because when a building is going to come down, it is not going to give you a notice that I am coming down,” he said.

Oki ,however, said all the identified buildings were beyond redemption while listing attributes of distressed buildings to include those already tilting at very bad angles as well as those with different kinds of cracks.

He stated that the government had made the process of obtaining building approvals easy by establishing LASBCA district offices across all divisions.

He advised Lagos residents with valid land documents and building plan approvals to visit or write LASBCA offices for authorisation to commence construction.

Oki said this would ensure effective monitoring and supervision.

Alabaintprice:
Please if you don't have a clear information just shut up and don't say anything..

This has nothing to do with hatred for Igbos or anything....

The government is 100% right to this. Most of these building has been issued letters to renovate there building over the years but have turned deaf ears to that.

Some foolish ones decided to contribute money to pay so that the content of the letter wouldn't come to light.....

After 7 years till now nothing has been done.

If you say this is something agianst the Igbos then I'll tell you that you're just sentimental a d unnecessarily emotional.

3 plazas close to my store renovated there's, why didn't they mark them too for demolition since it is a fight against the Igbos?


I am Igbo as well but something's we Igbos do can be very extreme and unnecessary abeg

The plaza where I have my shop in is also facing same thing. The ceiling keeps calling. How is that a safe place to do business?...

What if one day youre in your shop and the building falls on you? Who will you blame for that ....

Please let's see the truth and call it truth Biko......

I hate nonsense....

I wish the government can arrest that useless drunkard in that video that boldly said that it was because Igbos didn vote for Tinubu nor sanwo that's why they want to destroy the building ... That man should be arrested. He is a useless fellow... Bloody illiterate.

FreeStuffsNG:
Safety First.

The safety of the lives of the occupants of these distressed buildings is far more important.

I applaud Lagos for preserving the lives of potential victims of distressed buildings in such a densely populated place.

Kudos to Lagos.
May God bless Nigeria for ever!

Jostoman:
Make Una continue Una politics of bitterness against igbos, What goes around

IbnB:
Another opportunity to victimize igbos

bhella10:
Let the purging begins

JagabanBorgu:

When the building collapse, it woñ't crush only lgb0s.

EcoNews:
Endemic senseless n sorrowful wailing from lost Jews done start even before demolition

FreeStuffsNG:
Safety First.

The safety of the lives of the occupants of these distressed buildings is far more important.

I applaud Lagos for preserving the lives of potential victims of distressed buildings in such a densely populated place.

Kudos to Lagos.
May God bless Nigeria for ever!

post=123847982:

The sooner you guys understand that Igbos can't be cage or subdue the better for you guys, you guys has been doing these for decades what's the result, Oshodi market was demolished many of you were all jubilation mode then, how far today This administration Will soon be history while Igbos keep surviving, Igbos indomitable spirit undisputable, except you guys agree on disintegration of Nigeria, una ancestors did worst to Igbos still it didn't change the brow roof in your cities, hatred can only destroy, man propose God dispose, you can't eat your cake and have it expect Nigeria cease to exit