The Lagos State Authorities on Saturday started demolishing unlawful constructions in Ikeja GRA, together with shanties and unapproved buildings, over safety and planning issues.
The train, led by the Everlasting Secretary of the Lagos State Constructing Management Company (LASBCA), Gbolahan Oki, focused areas violating constructing laws, as reported by the Information Company of Nigeria (NAN).
The crew moved via streets like Michael Otedola, Sowemimo, Remi Fani-Kayode, and Ajisafe, flattening unauthorised stalls and altered buildings.
Oki stated some property homeowners had legitimate approvals however violated phrases by changing constructions, equivalent to turning 4 flats into eight, thereby straining infrastructure and distorting the city plan.
“There have been complaints from the residents of Ikeja GRA about abnormalities within the building course of.
“We started enforcement from 9.00 a.m. as we speak and visited many building websites. Most of them even have legitimate approvals, and even the buildings assumed to not conform, do, in actual fact, meet the required requirements,” Oki acknowledged.
He added, “Some individuals get approval for 4 flats however flip them into eight, or they’ve approval to construct a duplex however they convert it.
“This places a heavy burden on public infrastructure. We are able to’t let Ikeja GRA turn out to be like Ajegunle.”
Extra insights
The LASBCA Everlasting Secretary stated the company had earlier issued letters to all property homeowners in Ikeja GRA, requesting the submission of constructing approvals for verification.
He defined that the enforcement train adopted sufficient discover and engagement with stakeholders, and was geared toward eradicating shanties, makeshift stalls, and unauthorised constructions linked to unlawful actions as a way to restore security, order, and correct city planning.
- Oki added that buildings discovered to be in violation of planning laws have been marked for corrective motion, and if homeowners did not comply, such constructions could be demolished.
- The NAN report additional famous {that a} resident and neighborhood chief, Mr. Tunde Disu, expressed assist for the federal government’s intervention, describing it as lengthy overdue.
- He famous that the unfold of unlawful constructions had worsened safety issues and hampered efficient surveillance by each personal safety groups and the police.
Disu additionally stated the residents’ affiliation would collaborate with businesses such because the Lagos State Waste Administration Authority (LAWMA) to wash up the neighbourhood and maintain violators accountable.
What it’s best to know
Over the previous months, the Lagos State Authorities has demolished a number of constructions throughout the state for numerous causes, starting from security issues to violations of city planning legal guidelines.
Demolition workout routines, nonetheless, would proceed in instances the place constructions pose a danger to public security, equivalent to these erected beneath high-tension energy traces, on pipelines, throughout drainage channels, or inside designated rights of means.
