Building Collapse: Lagos Seals 19 Houses in Ikorodu

Following the continued spate of building collapse in some parts of Lagos State, the state government has shut down 19 defective buildings in Ikorodu area of the state over the weekend.

Officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) shut down the buildings in Igbogbo Baiyeku area, Ikorodu, for allegedly violating the town planning laws of the state.

The General Manager of LASBCA, Ms. Abiola Kosegbe, who led the enforcement team in conjunction with the Chairman, Igbogbo Baiyeku Local Council Development Area, Olusesan Daini, said two churches were among the buildings sealed off, including a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) parish and a Cherubim and Seraphim Church on Bamgbose Street in the area.

In one of the area, eight buildings were shut down because their owners did not have building permits and other required documents. Buildings were also shut down at Kosebinu Orepekun Street, Market Street, Ogolonto among others.

According to Kosegbe, the state government team was in the area on enforcement and sensitisation to let the people know the reason why they must build right in view of incessant collapsed buildings being experienced in some parts of the state.

She said developers cannot erect any building without informing LASBCA, saying it was the reason the government officers were shutting down structures.

 

Kosegbe said any developer who did not notify the state government about the development of their structure could be arrested, as government did not want incidence of collapsed buildings in the state anymore.

She said most of the properties sealed had already been served abatement notices, adding that LASBCA also engaged in post construction audit, where those who had already completed their buildings were asked to present documents to ascertain if they got the needed permits to erect such structures.

Chairman of Igbogbo Baiyeku LCDA, Daini, said the essence of the enforcement and sensitisation exercise was to reduce incidence of building collapse and maintain standard.

According to him, "The problem we have is that people don't build right. Affected residents are to go to LASBCA to regularise their documents and those building now should get their permits. They should be citizens. Government is not doing this alone to generate revenue, but to protect the citizens."