Lagos Launches Demolition Drive in Ebute Metta to Remove Distressed Buildings

InfoStride News reported on Saturday that the Lagos State Government has initiated the demolition of distressed buildings in the Ebute-Metta area of the state. Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, and Arc. Gbolahan Oki, the General Manager of Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), led the demolition exercise.

According to Olumide, the affected buildings, primarily located on Oloto and Freeman Streets, had received notices, with some being instructed to conduct structural investigations to assess their integrity. The decision to demolish these structures was driven by the need to protect lives, as many of the buildings failed structural integrity tests.

Emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives, Olumide stated, “The primary responsibility of the government is to protect lives, so we cannot wait and allow the buildings to collapse and kill people before doing something about them.” He reiterated Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s dedication to prioritizing the lives of all residents, regardless of their background, emphasizing that every Lagosian’s life is invaluable and cannot be compromised for financial or political gain.

Expressing concern over occupants who refused to evacuate despite adequate notice, Olumide stressed that life takes precedence over buildings. He urged owners of distressed buildings to proactively demolish the structures themselves, as the government would confiscate any land where it removes such structures.

Arc. Gbolahan Oki, the General Manager of LASBCA, supported the demolition, citing the danger these distressed buildings pose to neighboring structures and residents in the area. He stated, “We cannot fold our arms and allow irregularities to continue to thrive in this area, where lives of innocent people would be at risk because of the lackadaisical attitude of a few individuals who have refused to do the right thing.”

Oki encouraged Lagosians to report distressed buildings and other physical planning violations in their neighborhoods. This move by the Lagos State Government comes amid a series of building collapses in the state, often attributed to poor regulatory oversight and unscrupulous practices by developers.