The Lagos State Building Control Agency has said it destroyed 13 buildings in Ajao estate because they lacked the necessary licenses and were erected on unauthorized property.
This information was provided by the general manager of the Lagos State Building Control Authority, Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, during a news conference in Ikeja.
He emphasized the necessity of all buildings in Lagos State to comply with the laws governing physical development and building construction.
In addition to constructing on unapproved land, Oki said that the owners of the demolished properties also broke the legislation governing physical developments around the airport by installing structures that were too tall for the area.
According to the LASBCA General Manager, the enforcement and compliance team of the organization conducted the demolition exercise to ensure that structures in Lagos State are planned, constructed, and operated according to high standards of safety to prevent loss of lives and property.
“The demolition of the 13 illegal structures, along with the ongoing demolition of numerous other illegal structures in various parts of the State, will send a clear message to all of the State’s residents, demonstrating that the State Government prioritizes the lives of its citizens,” he added.
He stated that the agency has been sending letters to the owner of the properties since 2016 to vacate the area but they fail to comply, saying “Several meetings have been held to have a peace talk but yet, they turned deaf ears hoping that there is nothing that the government can do”.
According to Oki, the Lagos State Government will not stand idly by and watch as its citizens suffer because someone neglected to take the correct steps and secure the required permits for their properties.
Oki informed nearby property owners of the demolished buildings that the government’s action was not intended to harm law-abiding citizens of the area.
In order to avoid the loss of lives and property, he urged developers and property owners to make sure they obtain the relevant government agencies’ consent before starting construction projects.
He clarified that acquiring a planning permit from the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority is the first step in the construction process before going to the Lagos State Building Control Agency with copies of the approved planning permit.
In order to avoid the loss of lives and property, he urged developers and property owners to make sure they obtain the relevant government agencies’ consent before starting construction projects.
He clarified that acquiring a planning permit from the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority is the first step in the construction process before going to the Lagos State Building Control Agency with copies of the approved planning permit.
The sites on which the buildings were constructed were bought for public use as part of the Muritala International Airport, according to the General Manager of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Ngwu Hycienth.
He said that in 2015 FAAN discovered encroachments on the property and reported them to the relevant authority. Hycienth reaffirmed the requirement of the International Standard governing airports, which prohibits construction next to airport perimeter fences and establishes height restrictions for buildings inside airport grounds.
The LASBCA Management and the State Government were praised by the FAAN General Manager for taking action against the irregularities and bringing the airport environment back to normal, which would ultimately save lives.