Lagos Government Begins Demolition of Alaba International Market Buildings

Lagos State Government on Friday began the process of dismantling the distressed buildings of Alaba International Market in Ojo Local Government of the State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) Law Enforcement Team and the Task Force of the State embarked on the joint exercise.

The team that went around to re-seal several buildings that had been marked by several previous abandonment seal notices by LASBCA, said the move was to avert disaster.

They advised occupants to vacate structurally flawed buildings which they believed had become too unsafe for habitation.

A NAN correspondent in the delegation observed that some of the buildings being reconstructed were tilted.

Leading the reporters' tour, the Director of Law Enforcement pointed out some multi-storey buildings that were already sinking but were being extended with additional floors.

The front row of shops in one of the sinking plazas was beautifully adorned with tiles and other materials while the back sloped over marshy ground.

Some of the traders who spoke to reporters said they had made payments to obtain building permits before embarking on renovations.

Responding to the situation, the Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Mr. Gbolahan Oki, told reporters that the government was going to demolish it to save lives.< /p>

Oki said he usually panics whenever it rains because of the likelihood of such buildings collapsing and causing chaos.

He said the government valued the lives of residents, which were more valuable than the cost of any property.

According to him, the government was taking a proactive step and demolishing about 17 of the buildings that were not among the 349 widely announced for demolition.

Oki said the occupiers had received a series of notices since 2016 to take some necessary actions, but were adamant and resorted to harassment from enforcement officials.

He added that the agency should seek the assistance of the Lagos State task force, as the occupiers constantly used thugs to assault LASBCA officials whenever they embarked on the law enforcement.

The general manager said he suddenly developed a phobia of rain due to the constant fear of faulty buildings collapsing, hence the proactive step to save lives.

"All of these buildings will collapse by Monday. LASBCA has given them ample notice.

"Everyone who lives in Lagos State, their lives are worth more than the cost of any building or the cost of anyone going to make it.

"It's because when a building is going to collapse, it won't warn you that I'm coming down," he said.

Oki, however, said all identified buildings were unsalvageable while listing the attributes of distressed buildings to include those already leaning at very bad angles as well as those with different types of cracks.

He said the government has simplified the process of obtaining building approvals by establishing LASBCA district offices in all divisions.

He advised Lagos residents with valid land documents and building plan approvals to visit or write to the LASBCA offices for permission to begin construction.

Oki said this would ensure effective monitoring and supervision.