Some parts of Ebute-Metta and Bariga were, on Thursday, visited by officials of Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) during its ongoing enforcement exercise where several buildings were marked and sealed for demolition after the owners and inhabitants were served necessary notices.
The General Manager of LASBCA, Arc. Gbolahan Oki, while speaking on the enforcement exercise, said a distressed three-floor building at Ebute-Metta was demolished to save the lives and property of residents in adjoining structures from the risk posed by the dilapidated structure.
Representing Arc. Oki, the Director of Inspectorate & Quality Control and Post-Construction Audit for Lagos Division, Engr. Babajide Adebola Quadri, said: “The observation so far is that people are now aware of the efforts of the agency and are giving necessary support”.
“The cooperation has been impressive, they’re aware of the necessary notices served them, including vacation notices. Lagosians in different parts of the State are the ones now informing LASBCA about distressed buildings within their areas. This shows that Lagosians now place premiums on their lives than the usual resistance that LASBCA officials usually face”, he added.
He explained that the agency had in recent times focused on Lagos Island and Ebute-Metta in view of the number of distressed buildings already noticed and marked for demolition within the axis, adding that the exercise is also being carried out in other parts of the State.
The General Manager, therefore, appealed to Lagosians to always visit the District offices of LASBCA closest to them to report distressed buildings or use the social media handles of LASBCA to lodge their complaints, assuring that the Agency will swiftly acknowledge their messages and provide feedback appropriately.
Oki advised residents whose buildings are situated close to distressed buildings already marked for demolition to consider their safety and vacate the location temporarily pending when the distressed building would be pulled down to avoid any unforeseen danger.
Some of the distressed buildings visited during the enforcement and compliance exercise were located on Cemetery Street and Borno Way in Ebute Metta as well as a Montessori School on Jide Street, off Iyana Oworo, Berger Bus Stop Bariga, Lagos.
Others include Shakiti Street, Obadina Street, Aroloya Street, Hassan Street, Folawiyo Street, Gambari Street, Idumare Square, Garber Square and Iga Tawaliu Bello Street, all on Lagos Island.
