The Lagos State Government has said the demolition of distressed buildings in Alaba International Market in the Ojo area of the state is to protect lives.
The General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA), Gbolahan Oki, made this known on Saturday during an on-the-spot assessment of the market.
Raye24reporters reports the recent demolition of shops at the market led to a controversy, which was alleged to have been targeted at businesses owned and operated by the Igbo in Lagos.
In order to douse the tension between the Igbo and Yoruba in the state, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu set up a committee to address the matter.
During the assessment of the market alongside the seven-member committee set up by the governor, Oki explained that the demolition was to enforce building regulations and prevent building collapse.
He said most of the demolished buildings lacked permits and necessary documentation.
He said: “All we are after is that the lives of traders and other Nigerians are extremely important to the Lagos state government.
“I have seen people painting buildings that are dilapidated, that are not good. It is not painting that makes a building new. Our lives are more important.”
Oki urged owners of distressed buildings marked for demolition to remove them within two weeks to prevent disaster, adding that the government would move in to take action if the instruction is neglected.
He said there is no ethnic colouration to the decisions of the government, adding that only motive was to prevent building collapse, to ensure safety of lives of the traders and other Nigerians.
Oki noted that Sanwo-Olu set up the committee to look into the demolition without causing disaffection among the traders at the market.
He added that LASBCA officials were usually prevented from enforcing laws by people who failed to get building plan approvals or those who converted their properties illegally.
