LASBCA issues two-week ultimatum to residents of distressed Iponri buildings

By Lydia Ngwakwe

The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has issued a two-week ultimatum to residents of over 15 distressed buildings in the Iponri Housing Estate, Surulere.

These structures have been declared unsafe due to their deteriorating conditions, which pose a significant risk of collapse.

In a statement released on Saturday in Lagos, Gbolahan Oki, the General Manager of LASBCA, indicated that the agency had identified multiple structural issues in these buildings, including compromised integrity and a heightened potential for collapse.

Oki urged residents to vacate the buildings immediately to prevent potential loss of life and property.

He stated, “Requesting residents to leave distressed buildings to facilitate their demolition is in the public’s best interest. The deteriorating state of some of these structures poses a great danger, as their integrity has been compromised and could fail at any moment.”

He assured the public of the government’s commitment to swift action to address the situation and enhance public safety.

Emphasising the necessity of complying with building safety regulations, Oki urged all stakeholders—including residents, government officials, and LASBCA—to prioritise safety and adhere to the evacuation order.

The agency will continue monitoring buildings across the state to identify other structures that may pose similar risks and avert potential dangers.

Highlighting the potential hazards these distressed buildings pose to residents’ safety, Desmond Elliot, the House of Assembly member representing Surulere Constituency 1, along with Mrs. Barakat Bakare, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s Special Adviser on Housing, urged residents not to compromise on safety standards.

They encouraged compliance with building codes and regulations and commended LASBCA for its dedication to maintaining order in the built environment, reiterating the importance of evacuating the area for residents’ safety.