Officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, at the weekend shut down 19 buildings in Igbogbo Baiyeku area of Ikorodu, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria for violating the town planning laws of the State.
General Manager, LASBCA, Engr. Abiola Kosegbe, led the enforcement team of the agency, escorted by officials of the State Taskforce. The Chairman, Igbogbo Baiyeku Local Council Development Area, Olusesan Daini was also in the team.
Two churches were among the buildings sealed. One of them is the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, and a Cherubim and Seraphim Church on Bamgbose Street in the area.
In one of the area, eight buildings were shut because their owners did not have building permits and other required documents. Buildings were also shut at Kosebinu Orepekun Street, Market Street, Ogolonto, among others.
According to Kosegbe, the government team was in the area on enforcement and sensitisation to let the people know the reason why they must build right in view of incessant collapsed buildings being experienced in some parts of the state.
She said developers could not erect any building without informing LASBCA, saying that was the reason government officers were shutting down structures.
Kosegbe said any developer that did not notify government about development of their structure could be arrested, as government did not want incidence of collapsed buildings.
According to her, most of the properties sealed had already been served abatement notices, adding that LASBCA also engaged in post construction audit, where those who had already completed their buildings were asked to present documents to ascertain if they got the needed permits to erect such structures.
Chairman, Igbogbo Baiyeku LCDA, Daini, said the essence of the enforcement and sensitisation exercise was to reduce incidence of building collapse and maintain standard.
“The problem we have is that people don’t build right. Affected residents are to go to LASBCA to regularise their documents and those building now should get their building permits. They should be citizens. Government is not doing this alone to generate revenue, but to protect the citizens,” he said.
