Lagos State
Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday directed that stability test be
conducted on all building constructed by the Lekki Gardens to ascertain their
structural integrity, saying that any building found to be defective will be
demolished.
The Governor who addressed Government House Correspondents
at the Lagos House, Ikeja, shortly after inspecting the site of the collapsed
building which was under construction by the Lekki Gardens, said the incident
which claimed 34 lives and left several others injured was “one building
collapse too many”.
He said since the unfortunate incident the state government
has taken several steps to stem the tide of building collapse, saying that his
administration is determined not to fail in the responsibility of ensuring the
safety of lives and property of its citizens.
“The State Government will undertake a stability test on all
other buildings constructed by the Developer in the State, whether occupied or
not, to ascertain their structural stability. The Developer will pay the cost
of the tests. Any building found to be
defective would be demolished. For those
that pass the integrity test the developer will pay a penalty for any
overdevelopment on the site,” he said.
Governor Ambode who commiserated with those who suffered
loss and injury as a result of the building collapse said since the incident,
the state government has ordered the immediate sealing of the construction site
and cessation of further construction, co-ordinated emergency rescue of all injured
victims and treatment at its hospitals, prosecution of owners of the collapsed
building as well as dismissal of some government officials.
He said that the government going forward will carry out an
audit of all structures in the state to ascertain those with planning approval
or not and evaluate the physical development against the approved building
plans, saying that details of the plan will be made public soon.
“I want to assure you that there will no longer be any
sacred cows. If there is failure of duty, there will be sanctions.
“I also want to seize this opportunity to assure Lagosians
that the State Government will do everything within its powers to check the
excesses of Developers who flout its regulations and will restore efficiency
and confidence in the building control and supervision process,” the Governor
said.
To this end, Governor Ambode also revealed that a five man
committee to examine the Urban and Regional Planning Law of the State as it
affects the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
The Committee is to be chaired by TPL (Dr) Moses Olubunmi
Ajayi, a past President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners and
Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, while members include Engineer
Ore Fadayomi, President of the Nigerian Institute of Structural engineers,
Architect (Mrs) Yetunde O. Ajayi, a retired Permanent Secretary, General
Manager of Lagos State Planning Authority(LASSPA) and Secretary of Lagos State
Building Control Agency (LASBCA) as Secretary of the Committee.
Governor Ambode also charged the committee to examine the
operations of LASBCA and make recommendations for changes that will ensure
effective service delivery, recommend organizational re-structure and
appropriate manpower for effective operation of LASBCA, study the legal and
operational issues affecting the functioning of the Materials Testing
Laboratory and other matters that will enhance the efficient functioning of the
two organizations.
He gave the committee four weeks to submit its report.
“Finally, let me reiterate that Lagos is open to business
for those who must comply with the State laws and regulations in order to
prosper. Our main concern is to continue to improve on the ease of doing
business and uphold the Rule of Law at all times. Those who choose
non-compliance and defiance will henceforth face the full weight of the law
without fear or favour”, Governor Ambode said.
Speaking to journalists at the site of the collapsed
building, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Wasiu
Anifowose, said Governor Ambode and his team were at the site to personally
examine the level of damage and the determine how best to prevent a
reoccurrence going forward.
He disclosed that integrity test would be conducted on all
the structures erected by Lekki Gardens in the area, and advised occupiers of
other structures constructed by Lekki Gardens to vacate the buildings immediately.
Anifowose said the site of the collapsed structure had been
condoned off and that government would take appropriate steps after the
conclusion of investigation by the police.
“In the best interest of the occupiers of the other
structures, their lives are very important to us as a government and we are
appealing to them to vacate the buildings immediately until investigations are
completed.
“The gentleman behind Lekki Gardens got approval for ground,
first, second and third floors, but after doing the roofing, he removed it and
added additional two floors which caused the building to collapse. So, we have
to carry out integrity test on the other structures and the cost implication
for present occupiers of the other structures to vacate the buildings would be
borne by the developer,” Anifowose said.
SIGNED
HABIB ARUNA
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
MARCH 15, 2016
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