Lekki Gardens: Governor Ambode orders demolition – Photos

– Governor Akinwunmi Ambode says all buildings in Lagos will be assessed for safety measures

– The governor said all Lekki Gardens buildings that fail credibility assessment will be demolished

– He reiterated the commitment of the state to make Lagos safe

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos has ordered that stability test be conducted on all building constructed by the Lekki Gardens and that building that fail the integrity test will be demolished.

A Lekki Gardens 5-storey building which collapsed a week ago left 34 persons dead and more injured. In reaction to the tragedy, the governor sacked the general manager of the Building Control Agency (LASBCA) Engr. Adeigbe Olushola for negligence.

Governor Ambode after visiting the scene of the unfortunate incident on March 15 said the state government has taken several steps to curtail the collapse of buildings in the state.

“The State Government will undertake a stability test on all other buildings constructed by the Developer in the State, whether occupied or not, to ascertain their structural stability. The developer will pay the cost of the tests.  Any building found to be defective would be demolished.  For those that pass the integrity test the developer will pay a penalty for any overdevelopment on the site.”

READ ALSO: Building collapse: Ambode sacks GM of building control agency

Ambode revealed that following the incident, the state government ordered the immediate sealing of the construction site and cessation of further construction, co-ordinated emergency rescue of all injured victims and treatment at its hospitals, prosecution of owners of the collapsed building as well as dismissal of some government officials. He added that the state would carry out an audit on all buildings in the state to ascertain and evaluate their physical development.

“I want to assure you that there will no longer be any sacred cows. If there is failure of duty, there will be sanctions.

“I also want to seize this opportunity to assure Lagosians that the State Government will do everything within its powers to check the excesses of Developers who flout its regulations and will restore efficiency and confidence in the building control and supervision process.”

“Finally, let me reiterate that Lagos is open to business for those who must comply with the State laws and regulations in order to prosper. Our main concern is to continue to improve on the ease of doing business and uphold the rule of law at all times. Those who choose non-compliance and defiance will henceforth face the full weight of the law without fear or favour”, Governor Ambode said.

READ ALSO: Building Collapse: Lekki Gardens regrets unfortunate incident

Wasiu Anifowose who is the commissioner for physical planning and urban development said h and the governor were there to determine the level of damage and advised people residing in buildings owned by Lekki gardens to vacate them.

“In the best interest of the occupiers of the other structures, their lives are very important to us as a government and we are appealing to them to vacate the buildings immediately until investigations are completed.  

“The gentleman behind Lekki Gardens got approval for ground, first, second and third floors, but after doing the roofing, he removed it and added additional two floors which caused the building to collapse. So, we have to carry out integrity test on the other structures and the cost implication for present occupiers of the other structures to vacate the buildings would be borne by the developer,” Anifowose said.

 

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, with Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development, Engr. Wasiu Anifowose and Commissioner for Works & Infrastructure, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson during the Governor’s inspection of the site of the collapsed building in Lekki Gardens at Ikusenla Road, Ikate Elegushi, Lagos, on Tuesday, March 15, 2016.

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left); Divisional Police Officer, Ilasan Police Station, Mrs. Onyinye Onwuanaegbu; Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development, Engr. Wasiu Anifowose and Commissioner for Works & Infrastructure, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson

R-L: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right); Divisional Police Officer, Ilasan Police Station, Mrs. Onyinye Onwuanaegbu and Commissioner for Works & Infrastructure, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle) and Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development, Engr. Wasiu Anifowose (right)

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (left); pointing at place of interest during his inspection of the site of the collapsed building in Lekki Gardens at Ikusenla Road, Ikate Elegushi, Lagos, on Tuesday, March 15, 2016. With him is Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development, Engr. Wasiu Anifowose (2nd left).

R-L: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Commissioner for Works & Infrastructure, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson; Special Adviser, Urban Development, Mrs. Yetunde Onabolu; during the Governor’s inspection of the site of the collapsed building in Lekki Gardens at Ikusenla Road, Ikate Elegushi, Lagos, on Tuesday, March 15, 2016.

R-L: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Commissioner for Works & Infrastructure, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson; Special Adviser, Urban Development, Mrs. Yetunde Onabolu; during the Governor’s inspection of the site of the collapsed building in Lekki Gardens at Ikusenla Road, Ikate Elegushi, Lagos, on Tuesday, March 15, 2016.

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