Demolition: We Only Demolished Illegal Structures At Obalende  -LASBCA

LASBCA’s General Manager, Gbolahan Oki

Demolition: We Only Demolished Illegal Structures At Obalende  -LASBCA

The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has said that some of the 15 structures demolished in Obalende area of Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, were illegal structures.

LASBCA stated this in a statement  captioned: LASBCA removes 15 illegal gstructures at Obalende, issued by  Mrs. Adetayo Akitoye Asagba, it’s Head of Public Affairs of LASBCA and made available to newsdishng.com

It would be recalled that the agency had on last week Tuesday, demolished 15 to 18 structures in Obalende. The development some landlords in the area critized and said it was a ploy to take over their landed properties under the disguise of remodeling the area.

The landlords and other residents of the ancient Community also said the demolition was in contravention and disobedience to a 19.., court order which restraining the Lagos State government from from taking over the Community.

LASBCA’s General Manager, Gbolahan oki, said in a statement that the demolition was done to rid the State of building collapse and that the buildings were removed in order to restore sanity to Obalende and also avert collapse that may lead to possible loss of lives and valuable properties of the citizenry. 

Oki further stated that the buildings Owners/Developers had been served necessary notices ranging from contravention, stop work and removal notices when the structures were still at infancy but rather than do the needful, the owners/developers ignored the notices and quickly rushed the buildings to completion, in the process, doing shabby jobs that portray danger to the lives and properties of Lagosians.

He lamented that despite several engagement with the developers where they had promised to make adjustments, nothing was done, hence the Agency had no option but to remove the buildings which were not constructed according to the building codes and laws of the state. 

Oki, while reiterating Government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and properties of the people, maintained that the Agency is more proactive in its approach by ensuring thorough implementation of the State’s Building Codes and Regulations that will further nip in the bud the menace of building collapse in Lagos State  therefore creating a  conducive environment where buildings are safe, secure and habitable for present and future generations. 

In his words, Oki stated that, “the Government will not leave any stone unturned when it comes to building control regulations in the State as Contraveners of the State Building Laws will face the full wrath of the Law that will serve as detriment to others that plan to engage in shabby jobs in building construction in future”.

He added that for a building to be deemed safe, it must have necessary permits from the appropriate Agency (LASPPPA) after which the owner/developer must obtain Authorisation to commence Construction from LASBCA and every stage of the construction must be closely monitored by LASBCA Officials comprising  of Builders, Structural Engineers, Civil Engineers, Electrical Engineers and Architects. After which the building will be issued a Certificate  of Completion and fitness for habitation. 

He appealed to owners/developers to always build by the rules and urged members of the public to be their brother’s keeper by acting as checkmating officers and report any illegal construction going on in their vicinities as the Agency alone cannot do the job without the support of public.

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