The Lagos State Government has re-emphasised its caution against erecting building without obtaining the necessary Permits, saying that it was determined to arrest the spate of illegal contruction and building collapse in the State
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako said this on Friday during a monitoring visit to the site of a collapsed building under construction on Kingdom Hall Street, Abijo in Ibeju Local Government Area of the State..
The Commissioner who visited the site alongside the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Foluso Dipe, General Managers of Lagos State Building Control Agency(LASBCA) Biola Kosegbe, Lasgos State Physical Planning Permit Authority(LASPPPA) Funmi Oshifuye, Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory(LSMTL) Olalekan Ajani and Director- General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency(LASEMA) Dr. Oke Osanyintolu, said that he got information of the collapsed building through LASEMA after midnight and reacted promptly to prevent the loss of lives.
He explained that preliminary investigation of the collapsed building which was still under construction showed the use of substandard materials and construction of building without obtaining the necessary permits.
He said that LASBCA had previously served a stop-work order and quit notice on the building which was subsequently sealed to save lives.
“However, owners of the building went against the law by braking Government seal to continue their illegal construction” he said, adding that Government would take appropriate action which might include demolition of other defective structures in the compound, prosecution and seizure of property to redress the situation.
The Commissioner cautioned residents to henceforth desist from erecting building without permit and stop braking the Ministry seal as both untoward actions are illegal and capable of putting lives at risk.
” For the prompt response by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and its Agencies as well as LASEMA, we thank God that no live was lost in this incident. Two of the three artisans who sustained injuries at the site have been confirmed stable by the doctor at Vigor Hospital, Abijo while the other has been referred to the General Hospital for proper treatment” he said.
Dr. Salako, who offset the bill for the treatment of the injured artisans, noted that every live counted in Lagos State where people are the focus of governance
