The Lagos State Government has warned residents against inhabiting distressed structures that have been marked for demolition by state agencies.
The General Manager of Lagos State Building Control Agency, Gbolahan Oki, gave this warning, according to a statement on Wednesday, during the demolition of two distressed structures located in Mushin Local Government Area of the state.
Oki, who was represented by the agency’s Director of Enforcement, Mr Olusoji Olaopa, said the warning became necessary to avoid situations whereby tenants of distressed buildings lament and seek repayment of their unused house rents from the government or house owners when such buildings are eventually pulled down.
He said, “When a building is marked by LASBCA for whatever reason, it is wrong and illegal to continue to reside in such building without addressing the concerns raised by the agency. Lagosians must be vigilant in carrying out due diligence before making payment for accommodation in order to avoid paying for buildings already marked for demolition.
“The situation whereby occupants of marked distressed structures start pleading for additional weeks and months after their buildings had been marked for demolition shows great disregard for law and safety. This will not be condoned by the state government.”
Oki also urged owners of property marked by the agency not to deceive prospective tenants under the guise of renovating the distressed structures.
