By Dada Jackson
Special Correspondent, Lagos
Distressed buildings are being sealed off on Lagos Island by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) with a warning to prosecute anyone who tampers with the seals.
LASBCA Director of Post Construction Audit, Oyewale Joseph, gave the warning during a tour of Lagos Island to identify unstable or dilapidated buildings.
He disclosed that he embarked on the tour because of the increase in building collapse and the urgent need to stem it.
He lamented that people keep on flouting LASBCA’s “stop work” order on buildings identified as distressed.
Joseph said in line with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s zero tolerance for building collapse, the agency will seal off any wobbly building to prevent its collapse.
Most buildings on Griffin and Elegbata Streets on Lagos Island are distressed, he disclosed, and advised their occupants to vacate them.
He expressed concern over the removal LASBCA’s “stop work” seal and pledged that any perpetrator caught will be prosecuted in court.
LASBCA is statutorily empowered to seal any building found to be in distress and the owners of such structures are usually advised to do a test in order to ascertain their viability.
Joseph advised anyone who wants to start a building to approach the agency for approval before commencing work.
Association of Real Estate Developers of Lagos State (AREDOLS) General Secretary, Olumegbon Mutairu, disclosed that the association is sensitising developers on the need to consult LASBCA.
He said AREDOLS would continue to partner with LASBCA to identify distressed buildings as all hands must be deck to prevent building collapse.