Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has identified and demolished a distressed building at 47 Jebba Street in Ebute-Metta area of Lagos
As part of measures put in place to curb building collapse cases in Lagos State, the agency has marked 10 other buildings for demolition as a result of a failed structural test which has a tendency to cause havoc within the community.
Speaking during the demolition exercise, General Manager of LASBCA, Arc. Gbolahan Oki, appreciated the support of community members in its bid to identify structural defective buildings, while commending the efforts of residents and youths for their collaborative efforts with the enforcement team.
Other buildings that would be demolished before the end of the week are at different locations in ebute metta to include 37 Coates Street, 3, Ondo Street, 14, Ondo Street, 16 church Street, 13, Ibadan Street, 3 Simpson Street, 35 Jebba Street, 11 Jebba Street and 19 Ibadan Street.
He added that the proactive step became necessary following the anomalies surrounding building collapse within the area, hence the agency’s decision to get rid of inhabitable structures thereby attaining a livable, organised and sustainable built environment.
“We urge the people to recognise the urgency in this matter as we cannot afford to wait for another building to collapse; because every distressed building is a disaster in waiting,” he said.
He stated further that “ occupants of distressed buildings will keep asking for more time before they vacate but the truth is that we cannot afford to wait in the matter of life and death.”
The General Manager faulted people’s refusal to vacate distress buildings owing their decision to cultural and emotional attachments, he noted that indiscriminate developers have their own ulterior motives.
The agency has however appealed to stakeholders who patronise owners, occupiers to desist from the act, and rather be an agent of change through whistle blowing activities which would aid the agency in acting swiftly when any of these structural defective buildings are identified.
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