The Lagos State government has demolished some distressed buildings in the Lagos for public safety.
The demolition was done on Sunday and affected buildings located at 17b, Odo Osun Street, Off Glover Street; and 20, Omididun Street, both on the Lagos Island.
The General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbolahan Oki, said this would be a continuous exercise to rid the state of death traps.
Oki said that the demolition exercise was done 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 different 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 neighbours.
The LABSCA boss 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.
He said it was unbelievable that some people could still be pleading on behalf of occupants of the distressed buildings for more time from the government.
He expressed the hope that Lagosians would soon begin to follow the appropriate process of pulling down distressed buildings on their own without waiting for government to spend taxpayer fund on mobilising equipment and human resources for building demolition.
He advised Lagosians to prioritise their individual as well as collective safety, saying such considerations remain the major way of averting incessant building collapse.
In her own comments, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) District Officer for Lagos Island, Yemisi Alaka, explained that LABSCA had earlier identified several distressed buildings across the state for demolition following a survey carried out by the agency and the reports and information received from members of the public.
