TheCable

Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, director-general of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), says the agency is demolishing distressed buildings in Lagos Island starting with a three-storey building located at Bamigbose street.

Oke-Osanyintolu told NAN on Saturday that the three-storey building located at 54, Bamgbose Street is in a state of distress with visible crackings on different parts of the house.

He said another distressed building on the same street was also pulled down on Wednesday, December 11.

According to the LASEMA boss, the owners had already removed the roof of the second building located at 52, Bamgbose Street to persuade tenants to vacate the property.

Oke-Sanyintolu said the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the Material Testing Agency and Ministry of Urban and Physical Planning had made recommendations before the demolition was carried out.

“The ministry’s recommendations are necessary to carry out stress tests to ascertain the integrity of the building,” he said.

“After thorough investigations, the ministry agreed that the houses should be taken to ground zero.

“Consequently, the residents of the building were advised to vacate the premises within five days for their safety.”

Oke-Osanyintolu said that the demolition of the building at 54 Bamgbose Street was carried out in the midnight.

He said the agency is committed to the safety of lives and property of residents in the state and the state government had resolved to redevelop Lagos Island.

According to him, there are many buildings that are over 100 years old across the state.