Gboyega Akinsanmi
10 July 2009
Lagos — Consequent upon the collapse of a building in Lagos Island , Wednesday, Lagos State Government has reiterated its plans to demolish almost 300 identified defective buildings across the state in order to improve safety of lives and properties.
The state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Francisco Abosede, yesterday disclosed the resolve of the state government while reacting to the incident of collapsed buildings.
Reacting to the cases of recent collapsed buildings, the commissioner said the state government had drawn up a comprehensive policy framework aimed at identifying and demolishing defective buildings. He said the bill had been presented to the House of Assembly for approval.
According to him, currently, we are working out plans to demolish all defective buildings within the Lagos metropolis. As soon as we get the necessary approval, we will commence the operation without fear and favour.
Abosede said the state government "has written letters to owners of affected buildings, informing them of the need to demolish their buildings". He added that the state government had presented a bill before the Lagos Assembly to lay legal groundwork for demolishing affected buildings.
He explained that his ministry had tested "about 5,000 houses and found 293 to be structurally defective and hazardous to occupants. He also added that some houses "obstructed drainage, leading to flooding in such areas."
According to him, 13 houses will be demolished on Lagos Island , 103 in Ajeromi-Ifelodun local government while 77 houses will go in Somolu-Kosofe local councils.
Last Wednesday, five persons were injured at different degrees following a building that collapsed at No. 6, Oguntusi Court Lagos Island . The incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m., but no death casualty was recorded.
Late last month too, another building belonging to Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) collapsed at Ebute Meta, killing at least six people. Last March, a building collapsed at Idi-Araba, claiming 11 lives and injuring many.
Reports confirmed that properties worth millions of naira were destroyed, resulting from the building that collapsed Wednesday. According to reports, the victims were all occupants of 6 Oguntusi Court , Lagos Island , and were all believed to be sleeping, when the building caved in.
It was gathered that a thunderous explosion had, around 1.30 a.m. on Wednesday, drawn the attention of residents of Oshodi area of Lagos Island to the scene of the collapsed building. The prompt response by policemen and sympathisers led to the rescue of five persons who sustained injury.
Many residents of the building were lucky to escape unhurt or with bruises. But spokesman for Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Frank Mba stated that the victims were rushed to an unnamed "nearby hospital".
Mba said the police had begun investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the building. The state government has earlier in the year identified 293 defective structures okayed for demolition in the state.
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