There has been ongoing activity of building demolition in recent times witnessed in communities of Lagos state which the law enforcements described as a bold step and safe plan to prevent sudden collapse and possibly a huge catastrophic event. Earlier this year, the state government published a list of about 349 distressed buildings subjected to demolition. The most touching one for the residents is the ongoing demolition of 17 unfit structures within Alaba International Market in Ojo Local Government Area of the state which commenced on Friday.
These buildings being used for commercial purposes within the market area were deemed as “distressed structures” by the state authorities. It was a cooperative effort by the Lagos State Task Force and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). LASBCA’s team sent out to reseal a number of structures that had previously been issued several seal notices described their actions as a precautionary move against a possible disaster. They advised the residents to vacate the buildings due to structural defects that made them unsafe to inhabit.
Government demolished the structure to prevent casualties.
LASBCA had issued multiple vacate notices dating back to 2016 and several more to this year, 2023, as evidenced by the indicated inscriptions on various areas of the buildings that were physically deteriorated. Some of the buildings being reconstructed appeared to be bending/leaning, as reported by a NAN correspondent on the observing party. The director of law enforcement gave reporters an aerial view of the area and pointed out several sinking high-rise buildings that were having new floors added. One of the sinking plazas had a lovely row of stores decorated with tiles and other materials along its front, while its back was slanted on swampy terrain.
In interviews with the reporters, some traders claimed they had paid out cash to secure necessary permits before beginning renovations. General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) Mr. Gbolahan Oki responded by explaining to reporters that the government planned to demolish these structures in order to prevent other casualties. Oki claimed he experienced regular bouts of anxiety whenever it rained because of his fear that one of these structures would collapse and cause chaos. He assured people that their lives were more important to the government than any material possessions.
Authorities had given the occupants enough notice for seven years.
According to him, the occupants have been given multiple reminders to perform certain actions since 2016, but they have refused to do so and have instead resorted to harassing law enforcement. Oki, who lamented the rate with which agency personnel had been harassed in the past, stated that the LASBCA had to enlist the help of the Lagos State Task Force because the occupants were employing thugs to attack agency representatives whenever they attempted enforcement.
He stated that the government authorities had given enough notice for seven years for the occupants to get away from the buildings and comply with the notices. The threat that the dilapidated buildings in ALABA International Market pose to neighboring structures and the lives of businesspeople working in the market, makes the removal of those buildings an urgent necessity. Oki, on the other hand, claimed that all of the listed structures were utterly distressed, citing features indicative of dilapidated structures such as pre-existing tilting at extremely unfavorable angles and various types of cracks.
Residents should seek LASBCA authorization to begin construction.
Oki emphasized that residents’ life is of greater value and cannot be traded for financial benefits or profits and the government will continue to place priority on this fact regardless of their location. He said that the government has made it easier obtaining building permits by establishing LASBCA regional offices all throughout the territory. To ensure proper monitoring and supervision, he suggested that Lagosians with appropriate land documentation and building plan approvals should go to or write to LASBCA offices to receive authorization to begin construction.
Related Link
LASBCA: Website
Lagos demolish Alaba Int’l Market buildings – This action is seen as a precautionary move against disaster. – Express your point of view.
The demolition of Alaba Int’l market building by the Lagos state government is a good one to protect people’s lives and property against the collapse of the building.
The decision to demolish buildings in the Alaba International Market is a preventive measure aimed at ensuring the safety of the traders, visitors, and residents in the area. It is essential that the government continues to enforce building codes and standards to prevent hazardous situations that could lead to loss of lives and properties in the future.
This action is to save life the building can collapsed any time so it prevent it from people to lost there life in the building this kind act need to continue improper building should be demolish to prevent danger to people lifes
The demolishing of the buildings by the government should not just be happening. The headline shows there is already a 7 years notice given to the occupants. I just hope new place will be set aside by the government for the people working there.
Buildings in the Alaba International Market will be demolished as a precaution to ensure the security of the people . To avoid dangerous circumstances that could result in the loss of lives, the government must continue to enforce building laws
Lagos demolish Alaba Int’l Market buildings, This act is being taken to preserve lives because a structure could collapse at any time, making it possible for people within to perish. This kind of initiative must continue in order to avoid harm to people’s lives.
The decision by the Lagos state administration to demolish the Alaba Int’l market building is a positive one that will save lives and prevent damage to property. Well I also feel the pain of the building owners.
This action is seen as a precautionary move against disaster, but that is not the way people see it especially this time. If they claim they have mark it since 2017, why did they wait from 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 to 2023. After six years of mark of demolition. Many people will see it as a punishment for not voting for APC. They claim to say that they buildings is bad and what about the new incompleted buildings that was demolished too. Decision taken really matters a lot
The demolition of buildings in Alaba International Market Lagos shouldn’t be perceive as politically motivated but as a means of preventing future causality. We gave seen several buildings collapse and the number of people that lost their lives. Such must not be repeated. Therefore precautionary measures should be taken to prevent such.
Over the years we have seen buildings collapse in Lagos and so many lives were lost. The timely demolition of some buildings in Alaba International Market it’s a precautionary measure that must be taken avoid future disaster.