10th September, 2023
By Isa Isawade
The Ogun State Government early Sunday undertook demolition of the 5-story DATKEM Plaza on Folagbade Street, Ijebu Ode owned by the wife of former Governor Gbenga Daniel, Yeye Olufunke Daniel.
Construction of the structure, which is said to have full approval, started in 2009 and it’s scheduled for commissioning at the end of September.
According to the Project Manager & Developer, Adeolumi Environmental Services Ltd, the construction company in charge of the building, Engr Olusegun Lawal, the ground floor and mezzanine of the building is a banking hall fully fitted with bank trap doors and CHUBB Strong Room while the third floor is to house the Ogun East Senatorial Office.
He said the Kone Elevator had been installed in the Plaza with about 80 Brand new Split Air conditioners just installed by a reputable company.
He listed other facilities in the building including a 150kVA electricity generating set, a transformer and a fire fighting system.
He said construction of the building was supervised by qualified and certified engineers, adding that there were no structural or quality issues.
However, he said, while contacted, the government gave, as reasons for ordering the demolition, inadequate car space, inadequate muster point (space outside the building where people can gather in case of fire or emergency) and inadequate airspace.
Engr Lawal punctured all the claims, saying the company provided enough car space for which the empty piece of land at the back of the building was being negotiated for lease to complement car parking.
On muster point, he said there was ample space around the building that could be used for the purpose.
He also said “there is enough airspace as there is no single adjoining building around the 4 sides of the building. There is also no concrete fence but only metal grills to ensure proper airflow.”
The demolition reportedly took place at 3 am Sunday 10 September 2023 and was ongoing as of press time while no government official has responded to press inquiry.