Lagos — Lagos State Government has said 1,923 buildings that have structural defect have been marked out for demolition in the state to prevent further incidences of collapse

State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Franciso Abosede, disclosed this on Thursday during a ministerial briefing to commemorate the second anniversary of the administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola.

Abosede explained that the move would help avert future loss of lives, adding that the ministry would as a matter of importance carry out periodic enforcement exercise in the state to ensure that residents comply with building rules and regulation.

He identified the locations where such buildings with structural defects are found as Lagos Island, Ajeromi-Ifelodun and Somolu/Kosofe Local Government Areas.

Abosede said 976 of the buildings are located in Lagos Island with 617 recommended for renovation and 346 recommended for test while 13 will be demolished.

Also, 656 of such buildings were identified in Ajeromi/Ifelodun with 320 of them slated for renovation and 233 subjected to test while the remaining 103 will be demolished.

He said in 291 buildings were identified in Somolu/Kosofe council area, of which 214 will be re novated while 77 recommended for demolition.

The commissioner also disclosed that henceforth government has made it compulsory for anybody wishing to erect a building other than a bungalow in any part of the state to take out an All Risk Insurance Policy on such building to cover its occupants and their properties.

On the mega city project of the state government, Abosede assured that within the next seven years the project would be completed.

It would be recalled that Fashola at the site of a recently collapsed building had blamed the rampant problem in the state on violation of the state planning laws.

"We continue to insist, even though some very dangerous people continue to say we are very uncaring. I wish that they were here now to come and give us back the lives we have lost.