•Action to save lives of residents, says LASBCA
•Ohanaeze president refutes vendetta claims, to meet Sanwo-Olu
Some affected traders at the multi-billion-naira Alaba International Market, in Ojo Local Council of Lagos State, whose shops are in the distressed buildings being demolished by the Lagos State government, have solicited for assistance to help them get shops. The state commenced demolition of distressed buildings in the market on Friday following expiration of several notices and the need to avert deaths through building collapse.
Eleven buildings are expected to be removed at the end of the exercise today (Monday). Some of the traders told The Guardian that they were deceived to pay rents on the distressed buildings without knowing that they were marked for demolition by the government.
One of them, who gave his name simply as Ebuka, showed a rental receipt issued to him in April, for a space in one of the affected buildings, when the enforcement team of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and the Lagos State Task Force visited the market on Friday. He asked for financial assistance for affected traders to find their feet.
According to him, it is not easy to generate money for a shop in the market considering the present economic realities. But the enforcement team said previous multiple quit seal notices were given by LASBCA and pasted on the structures to prevent disaster. They advised occupants on the need to move out of the structurally defective buildings, which they said had become too dangerous for habitation.
Conducting newsmen round the market, the enforcement director said some of the already sinking storey buildings are being extended with additional floors, while some of the buildings undergoing reconstruction were tilted. The Guardian also observed the decoration of the front row of some shops in one of the distressed sinking plazas to make unsuspecting residents believe that all were well with the building.
Some traders also alleged that they had made some payments toward obtaining building approvals before embarking on renovations. Reacting, LASBCA General Manager, Gbolahan Oki, said the exercise was purely to save lives.
Oki said he had suddenly developed a phobia for rain because of the constant fear of defective buildings collapsing hence the proactive step to save lives. He said the government valued the lives of residents, which were more precious than the cost of any property. According to him, the government was taking a proactive step and will demolish about the buildings, which were not part of the 349 widely publicised for demolition.
Oki said the occupants had been served a series of notices since 2016 to carry out some necessary actions but they had been adamant and resorted to harassment of enforcement officials. He added that the agency had to seek the help of the Lagos State Task Force because the occupants constantly used thugs to assault LASBCA officials whenever they embarked on enforcement.
According to him, the buildings are irredeemable as they are distressed with different types of cracks, while some are already tilting at a very bad angle due to poor maintenance. He stressed that residents are not taking into cognizance of the buildings despite the regular awareness created by the building control agency.
He said: “We have always informed house owners to ensure they do the right thing. Our officers have gone round the affected places to serve them warning notice, but they have refused to adhere.
“Instead, they in turn assault and harass our staff with touts and hoodlums. The lives of everybody that lives in Lagos State, are worth more than the cost of any building or the money anybody is going to make on it. All the identified buildings were beyond redemption while listing attributes of distressed buildings to include those already tilting at very bad angles as well as those with different kinds of cracks.
“The government has made the process of obtaining building approvals easy by establishing LASBCA district offices across all divisions.” Oki advised Lagos residents with valid land documents and building plan approvals to visit or write LASBCA offices for authorisation to commence construction.
Meanwhile, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, through its President General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has dispelled rumours of vendetta over the incident, as being circulated in the social media.
Iwuanyanwu, in a statement issued by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, said since the disturbing news broke out, they had made investigations to establish the true state of affairs. He enjoined all and sundry to “disregard the statements and video messages trending on the Internet and admonished that such propaganda was not necessary for the Igbos at this time.”
Iwuanyanwu urged the Lagos State Environment and Development Authority (LASEDA) to exercise prudence and best considerations in discharging their duties as he asked the Igbo in Lagos to remain calm.
He, therefore, indicated a pressing need to visit Lagos and the Southwest in the next few weeks, as he was very optimistic that during the visit, all the challenges confronting the Igbo in Lagos would be addressed.
Iwuanyanwu said: “The attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has been drawn to several fake publications circulating on social media alleging a decision by the Lagos State government to take actions to victimise the Igbo citizens residing in Lagos.”
“Based on investigation, a reliable source, Comrade Chinedu Ukatu, Member, Lagos State Market Advisory Council, said: “The Lagos State Environment and Development Authority has been issuing warnings as regards the obstruction of some waterways.”
Source: The Guardian
