Lagos asks owners of 349 ‘distressed buildings’ to conduct structural test or risk demolition

The Lagos government has published the locations of 349 “distressed” buildings in the state.

In a publication released by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the agency asked the owners of the properties to conduct a “non-destructive test” (NDT) on the said structures.

The publication was signed by Gbolahan Oki, general manager of LASBCA.

The agency said the NDT on the distressed buildings will help “ascertain their structural stability and where the structures turn out to be unfit for habitation, demolition permit
should be obtained”.

LASBCA said it will not hesitate to remove the distressed structures within 90 days after the publication of the notice for the conduct of NDT.

“LASBCA has therefore served all statutory enforcement notices on the structures and has requested the owners/developers of the structures to conduct a Non- Destructive Test (NDT) on the structures with no response from the respective owners /developers of the buildings,” the publication reads.

“Following the above, a final notice is hereby given to the owners/developers of the underlisted buildings to conduct a Non-Destructive Test on the structures to ascertain their structural stability and where the structures turn out to be unfit for habitation, demolition permit should be obtained from the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) to remove the structures in the interest of public safety.

“Where the structure is recommended for re-engineering/renovation, the buildings to conduct a Non-Destructive Test on the structures to ascertain their structural stability and where the structures turn out to be unfit for habitation, demolition permit should be obtained from the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) to pull down the structure in the interest of public safety.

“A time frame of 90 days is hereby given after the publication of this notice for the conduct of NDT, re-engineering or removal of the identified structures that are exhibiting signs of distress (as the case may be) failing which LASBCA shall not hesitate to remove the structures in the interest of public safety and in line with the regulatory provisions of the Law.

“Where structures are removed by the Agency, cost of removal shall be recovered from the owner/developer as required by the Law.”

A copy of the publication is here.