Lagos State Government has demolished a three-story shopping complex under construction at Oshodi area of Lagos. The shopping complex is situated at Ireti-Oluwa Street along Apapa-Oshodi Express way in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area.
The affected building was approved by government officials but was discovered by officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) to have been built without consideration for the necessary setback and space required for a commercial building. The leader of the demolition team and General Manager of the agency, Mrs. Animashaun Odunayo, moved into the area with security operatives to effect the demolition of the building, saying it was necessary for the government to carry out the demolition to avert any looming disaster in the area.
According to her, the developer did not comply with the specifications of the approval granted and used sub-standard materials in the construction of the building.
She stated that the demolition would serve as deterrent to other developers and property owners who do not comply with the Building Codes and Regulations laid down by the Physical Planning, Urban Development, Urban Regeneration and Building Control Law of 2010. Animashaun Odunayo reiterated that developer did not take into cognizance the air space required and the ideal setback is 9 metres and 6 metres at the surroundings with no parking space, saying it was imperative to demolish rather than allow it to collapse and destroy lives.
She also used the medium to call on Lagosians to work together with the agency by informing the officials of the Agency of any sharp practices in their vicinity in order to ensure that the incidence of building collapse is a thing of the past.
