By Demi Adeniyi
The General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki has reiterated the Lagos State Government zero tolerance stance on illegal construction of extensions and attachments on shops and buildings in any part of the State.
Oki disclosed this at a multi-agency enforcement and removal exercise carried out to remove extensions and attachments affixed to shops and plazas within the Lagos Island Central Business that will ultimately bring about safety and orderliness to the markets and streets in the area.
Speaking on the exwecise, Oki noted that those extensions affixed to shops and buildings within the area are constituting nuisance and a hindrance to rescue operations during emergencies.
He cited the case of fire outbreak in Mandilas building where first responders like the state fire and rescue services could not access the burning building due to blockage of the roads and streets by traders with their extensions and attachment erected onto the roads.
While warning owners of shops and business premises with extensions and attachments to remove them immediately, Oki disclosed that the removal exercise is continuous and will be extended to other parts of the state.
He stressed that Lagos State would no longer tolerate the level of lawlessness going on in commercial areas, especially Lagos Island where every available space is being converted to shops with attachment extending onto the roads and streets.
Oki frowned at the practice of mounting diesel and petrol generators on rooftops, penthouses and iron staircases of shops and plazas within commercial centres, instructing that such generators should be brought down immediately.
The multi-Agency exercise comprising of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Lagos State Neighbourhood Watch, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Central Business Districts and Lagos State Environmental Services amongst others, witnessed the removal of attachments and extensions on shops around Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, Dosunmu, Ereko, Eyin Eyo, Martins, Balogun and its adjoining streets.
The removal of attachments and extension exercise is part of the recommendations of the Dosunmu Fire Incident Committee headed by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr Gbenga Oyerinde.