Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, has ordered the demolition of the Article Shopping Complex in Satellite Town and issued a 14-day ultimatum to owners of distressed buildings in Agric and Coker markets within Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area to conduct structural integrity tests on their properties.
The directive followed an enforcement and inspection exercise carried out on Thursday by officials of the agency at the Article Shopping Complex located in Oriade Local Council Development Area as well as the Agric and Coker markets in the Odun-Ade axis.
According to the agency, several of the inspected commercial buildings showed serious structural defects, heightening concerns over the safety of traders and occupants.
Speaking during the operation, the Director of Quality Control and Post-Construction at LASBCA’s Badagry Division, Kolawole Williams, said the state government remained committed to enforcing building regulations to reduce the growing incidence of building collapse in Lagos.
“The Lagos State Government is determined to minimise the incidence of building collapse in the state. We will continue to enforce building standards because the safety of Lagosians remains our priority,” Williams stated.
He disclosed that occupants of the Article Shopping Complex would be evacuated before the demolition exercise begins, adding that an office structure under construction within the already distressed complex was pulled down during the enforcement operation.
Williams noted that the shopping complex had earlier been marked for demolition and is situated close to the three-storey building that collapsed last week, resulting in the death of nine persons.
According to him,
