Lagos pulls down 30 defective buildings

The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) says it has pulled down 30 out of 80 distressed buildings marked for demolition in Lagos Island.

Olalekan Shodehinde, general manager, LASBCA, disclosed this on Wednesday.

He said the demolition would come in phases because some of the buildings were subject of litigation.

LASBCA had marked 80 building for demolition following the collapse of three structures in Lagos Island within two weeks.

The Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) had said there are over 1,000 buildings unfit for human habitation on the Island.

Shodehinde said the demolished buildings were located at Elegbata Street, Apongbon; Tokunbo Street, by Glover; Inabiri Street, Egatin Street, Ojo Giwa and John Street, among others.

He explained that a committee had been set up to investigate the cause of the Ita-Faaji building collapse (pictured) which claimed the lives of 20 persons including, including children.

He said the agency was working to formalise the processes that would facilitate official collaboration with professional bodies and non-governmental organisations in the fight against building collapse.

“The motive is to sanitize and rid Lagos of distressed and dilapidated buildings in a bid to stem the era of building collapse in the state,” Shodehinde said.

“But presently, nothing is happening at the area and the demolition is suspended waiting for the report of the investigation committee.

“Before now, there exists some informal collaborations, but with the current formalisation process which is still at the proposal stage, the collaboration will become stronger and officially recognised too.”

Shodehinde appealed to residents and all stakeholders to assist government to actualise its objective of creating a safer Lagos by reporting noticed substandard building constructions and dilapidated structures within their locality to the agency for necessary actions.

He also urged all professional bodies in the environment to ensure their associations were dully registered and recognised by the government.