By Meletus EZE
In a bid to stem recurrence of building collapse in the state, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) says it has pulled down 30 out of 80 distressed buildings marked for demolition in Lagos Island.
TBI Africa said Mr Olalekan Shodehinde, General Manager, LASBCA, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos that the demolition would come in phases because some of the buildings were subject of litigation.
He 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.
Shodehinde said that the 80 buildings were marked for demolition following the collapse of a three storey building on March 13 at Ita Faji area of Lagos Island in which 20 people were killed.
The LASBCA boss said that a committee had been set up to investigate the cause of the Itafaji 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.
“But presently, nothing is happening at the area and the demolition is suspended waiting for the report of the investigation committee,” he said.
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.
“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,” he said.
Shodehinde appealed to residents and all stakeholders to assist government to actualize 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 built environment to ensure their associations were dully registered and recognised by the government.
