The Lagos State Government has reiterated its intention to demolish buildings without proper approvals after the expiration of the 90-day amnesty window to legalize them. Olaoye Olusegun of the Public Affairs Unit, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), stated this in Lagos on Wednesday.
The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, made this known at a workshop organized by the agency in Ikeja. The workshop aimed to address issues and misconceptions about the agency's activities, particularly regarding building certifications and the importance of insurance in the construction industry.
Babatunde emphasized the need for every building in the state to have a Certificate of Completion and Fitness for Habitation, as well as an insurance policy for disaster periods such as fire incidents. He reiterated the governor's directive for owners of buildings with attachments to remove them immediately, as they hinder rescue operations during emergencies.
The state government has taken proactive measures to alert owners of distressed buildings in the state to pull them down. Over 90 percent of the 359 distressed buildings identified have been demolished by their owners to avoid disaster.
Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-governmental Relations, Mr. Gbenga Oyerinde, and his counterpart at the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Olayinka Olumide, spoke on the Dosunmu fire incident. They disclosed that enumeration and collation of victims had been concluded, and soon, the state government would announce the level of assistance for all victims of the fire incident.
General Manager of LASBCA, Mr. Gbolahan Oki, emphasized the importance of the workshop in clarifying the agency's operations and how to obtain necessary certifications. He called on building owners to comply with regulations and obtain the required approvals.
Insurance consultant Mr. Yemi Solajoye emphasized the need for every building in the state to have insurance cover against disasters, while Mr. Fuad Oki, a retired Director General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, called for more engagement with the public, especially at the grassroots, to address building regulations infractions.
