LASBCA demolishes distressed building in Ebute- Metta, marks 10 others for demolition
Commends communal efforts, residents’ cooperation
AS part of ongoing removal of distressed buildings, the Lagos State Building Control Agency ( LASBCA) has demolished a distressed building located at 47 Jebba Street in EbuteMetta area of Lagos. The agency also marked over 10 others for demolition for being structurally defective and unsafe for habitation.
General Manager of LASBCA, Arc. Gbolahan Oki, who spoke during the demolition and enforcement exercise, commended the communal efforts of the community leaders, youths and residents of the areas for cooperating with the enforcement team 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 Jebba Street, 11 Jebba Street and 19 Ibadan Street.
He explained that the exercise was a proactive step by the Agency to prevent loss of life and property due to avoidable building collapse. He said that the move had become necessary 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 noted 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 advantage of them.
He appealed to owners/ occupiers of distressed buildings within the state to vacate immediately, most especially during the rainy season which is associated with more cases of building collapse.
He urged residents to emulate the conduct, cooperation and comportment of youths and residents of Ebute- Metta who cooperated with government by reporting distressed buildings within their areas to appropriate government agencies.
General Secretary of the Association of Real Estate Developers of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, Olumegbon Mutairu, commended efforts of the State Government in riding 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.