Lagos State government through the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPP&UD) and the State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has demolished a four-floor critically distressed structure at 16, Oloto Street in Ebute-Metta area of the state.

The demolition followed Thursday’s collapse of a two-storey building, which killed an octogenarian in the area.

Commissioner for MPP&UD, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, who spoke to newsmen during the exercise, said the demolition of the critically distressed structure was necessary to avert possible collapse that may lead to loss of lives and property of its occupants.

He said: “It is the responsibility of the state government to ensure that the lives and property of the citizens are protected, and this is why the government is going all out to demolish all critically distressed structures in the state to avert an imminent collapse.”

Olumide said before the demolition of the building, notice had been served on the owner to evacuate the building after a Non-destructive Test (NDT) to ascertain its structural stability showed that it was not fit for habitation, but all to no avail hence, the decision to demolish it.

On his part, General Manager, LASBCA, Owodunni Oki, said most of the buildings marked as distressed by LASBCA in Ebute-Metta failed the NDT conducted by Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory (LSMTL), therefore showing that they are not safe for habitation or storage of heavy goods.
Oki said the demolition exercise was on-going as all the buildings marked for demolition will be removed to ensure safety of lives and property.

“The demolition of the buildings that are critically distressed is an on-going exercise that will rid the state of incessant building collapse and the Post Construction Audit Department in charge of existing buildings in Lagos State are on top of their game to enforce this.

“They may appear fit from an outward look, but structural and integrity tests conducted by LSMTL confirmed their inhabitable conditions,” he added.

Meanwhile, LASBCA has marked 42 other buildings in Oloto and its adjoining streets in Ebute-Metta as distressed and asked the owners to commence the process of demolition to avert possible collapse and loss of lives and property.

The General Manager of LASBCA noted that failure of the owners of such distressed buildings to demolish them will be met with sanctions, which include possible forfeiture of such land to the state government.