Ogun to demolish, reconstruct legislative, commissioners’ quarters built in 1976

The Ogun government has announced plans to demolish and rebuild the state’s legislative quarters and commissioners’ quarters, originally constructed in 1976.

Jamiu Omoniyi, commissioner for housing in Ogun, said the decision followed the ministry’s recent technical assessment that revealed the buildings have become unsafe and uneconomical to maintain despite numerous repairs over the decades.

Omoniyi said the decision aligns with the National Building Code of Nigeria (2006), which mandates public buildings to meet minimum safety standards.

He noted that the structures that have exceeded their useful life require either major rehabilitation or complete reconstruction, especially where repairs have become uneconomical.

“The existing legislative and commissioners’ quarters were constructed in 1976, nearly 50 years ago,” the commissioner said.

“Over the years, successive governments have spent enormous sums on repairs and maintenance, but these have yielded diminishing results.

“A technical evaluation conducted by the ministry confirmed that the structures are no longer safe for habitation. In line with global best practices and the provisions of the National Building Code, the state government has chosen to rebuild these facilities for long-term sustainability.”

He said the new quarters will feature modern and energy-efficient designs with upgraded utilities and smart infrastructure, reflecting Ogun’s commitment to urban renewal and environmental responsibility.

The commissioner added that the project forms part of the Ogun state urban and housing renewal master plan aimed at replacing obsolete infrastructure with sustainable developments.

Omoniyi said the initiative is a prudent investment in public safety and administrative efficiency, not extravagance, noting that the state government would ensure transparency and prioritisation of local contractors to boost job creation.