Lagos Building Collapses: Commissioner Cites Residents' Disregard for Safety Rules

The Lagos State administration has identified the consistent occurrence of building failures within its borders as a direct consequence of certain residents and property owners' refusal to adhere to established safety protocols and official directives concerning compromised buildings. This statement was made by Gbenga Omotoso, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, on Friday, during his interview on Arise Television’s News Night program. His remarks followed the recent collapse of a multi-storey edifice in the Alakija district of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area on Thursday morning.

Omotoso further explained that the ill-fated structure had previously been designated as unsafe and subsequently sealed by state authorities. However, it is alleged that some individuals returned to occupy the premises prior to its eventual collapse. He stated, “The house had been marked ‘distressed,’ and everybody there had to leave. In fact, at a time, it was shut down. But before the government could come in there to remove the structure, people went back in there.”

Delving into the persistent issue of building collapses across Lagos, the Commissioner attributed the problem to a pervasive disrespect for legal provisions and a prevalent inclination among some individuals to prioritize financial gains over human safety. He emphasized, “As to why it keeps on occurring, it’s very simple: people don’t want to obey the law. If you obey the law, everything will be fine. We keep on marking all these buildings and pulling them down, but before you get to some, this kind of thing happens. So, it’s because people are not responsible. People believe in prioritizing commercial activities and livelihood over life, which is very, very wrong. Once the government says a building is unsafe, I do not see why people should go in there.”

Mr. Omotoso affirmed that the state government has robust legislative frameworks and enforcement protocols in place to combat this challenge, noting that relevant agencies consistently identify, seal, and subsequently dismantle structures deemed distressed. He reiterated, “The enforcement agencies are there to do their job, and we keep on bringing down all these buildings.”

Furthermore, he revealed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has issued a directive for the immediate demolition of other compromised structures situated near the Alakija collapse site, a measure intended to avert future catastrophes. “First, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has directed that all the buildings around the scene of the incident that are weak, that are distressed, that are not supposed to be standing, that are not fit for human habitation, they must be brought down,” Omotoso quoted.

The Commissioner also issued a stern warning, stating that owners of precarious buildings would face legal action, and any government official implicated in the incident would not escape disciplinary measures. He added, “Like I said, any official of the Lagos State Building Control Agency who may have complicity in the incident, they will not go unpunished.”

Expressing profound sympathy, the commissioner conveyed the condolences of Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Government to the families mourning the loss of their loved ones in the tragic event. According to reports from PUNCH Online, the incident has tragically claimed nine lives, with 26 individuals successfully rescued from the debris of the collapsed structure.