18th November, 2023
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Lagos State Government on Saturday demolished a distressed three-storey building at 16, Oloto Street in Ebute-Metta area of the State.
The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPP&UD) and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) demolished the building.
Speaking at the demolition site, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide stated that the demolition of the critically distressed structure was necessary in order to avert possible collapse that might lead to loss of lives and properties of its occupants.
“It is the responsibility of the state government to ensure that the lives and properties of the citizens are protected, and this is why the government is going all out to demolish all critically distressed structures in the State in order to avert an imminent collapse,” he said.
Olumide added that before the demolition of the building, notice had been served on the owner to evacuate the building after a non-destructive Test (NDT) to ascertain its structural stability showed it was not fit for habitation.
The General Manager, LASBCA, Gbolahan Oki, on his part said that most of the buildings marked as distressed by the agency in Ebute-Metta failed the NDT conducted by the Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory (LSMTL) showing that they are not safe for habitation or storage of heavy goods.
Oki also stated that the demolition exercise was ongoing as all the buildings marked for demolition would be removed to ensure the safety of lives and properties.
“The demolition of the buildings that are critically distressed is an ongoing exercise that will rid the State of incessant building collapse and the Post Construction Audit Department in charge of existing buildings in Lagos State is on top of their game to enforce this.
“They may appear fit from an outward look but structural and integrity tests conducted by Material Testing Laboratory confirm their inhabitable conditions,” he added.
In the same vein, 42 other buildings in Oloto and its adjoining streets in Ebute-Metta were marked as distressed and owners asked to commence the process of demolition to avert possible collapse and loss of lives and properties.
The General Manager noted that the failure of the owners of such distressed buildings to demolish them would be met with sanctions which included possible forfeiture of such land to the state government.