Olasunkanmi Akoni
9 July 2009
Following incessant building collapses, the Lagos State Government has said it would soon commence demolition of about 293 structurally defective buildings in the state.
The state government had earlier raised alarm that 293 structures had been discovered to be structurally defective and needed to be pulled down to avoid inherent danger.
Contacted on his reaction to the building that collapsed yesterday on Lagos Island in which five people sustained serious injuries, the state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Abosede Francesco, said the state government had written letters to owners of those identified and marked buildings intimating them of the need to demolish the structures.
The building located at No. 6, Oguntusi Court collapsed at about I:30 a.m. when occupants were fast asleep.
According to Abosede, a policy paper is presently before members of the Lagos House of Assembly which will work out modalities for the demolition proper of the affected buildings, saying the state government tested about 5,000 houses and found 293 to be structurally defective and hazardous to occupants.
He also said some of the houses obstructed drainage alignment, which has led to flooding in such areas.
According to the commissioner, 13 houses will be demolished on Lagos Island, 103 in Ajeromi-Ifelodun local government while 77 will go in Somolu-Kosofe local councils.
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