The Lagos State Government has blamed the persistent cases of building collapse across the state on the refusal of some property owners and residents to comply with safety regulations and official directives concerning distressed buildings.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, made the remarks while speaking on a television programme in response to the collapse of a multi-storey building in the Alakija area of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area.
According to Omotoso, the collapsed building had earlier been identified as structurally unsafe and sealed by the government. However, some occupants allegedly returned to the premises before the structure eventually gave way.
He explained that the continued occurrence of building collapses is largely due to the disregard for government regulations, stressing that some individuals place financial interests above public safety.
Omotoso noted that the state government regularly identifies distressed buildings, seals them, and carries out demolitions through its enforcement agencies. He added that despite these efforts, some people ignore official warnings and reoccupy unsafe structures.
The commissioner stressed that once a building has been declared unsafe, residents should immediately comply with evacuation orders to prevent avoidable tragedies.
He also disclosed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed the immediate demolition of other structurally weak buildings around the site of the Alakija collapse to prevent further incidents.
In addition, Omotoso warned that owners of distressed buildings who fail to comply with safety regulations would face prosecution. He also stated that any official of the Lagos State Building Control Agency found to have been negligent or involved in any wrongdoing related to the incident would be sanctioned.
The commissioner conveyed the condolences of Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Government to the families of those who lost their lives in the building collapse.
Authorities confirmed that nine people died in the incident, while 26 others were successfully rescued from the debris during emergency operations.
