Lagos Govt. gives reasons for demolishing buildings at Ajao Estate
Following the public attention drawn to the demolishing of buildings at Ajao Estate, the
Lagos State Government has said the demolition of 13 residential buildings at Rockview Street, Ajao Estate, occurred because they were illegally constructed along fuel pipelines.
Also, the houses were close to the did not have planning permits before they were built
This was revealed by General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, Gbolahan Oki, during a press briefing on Friday.
According to the General Manager, the buildings did not have the required approvals and were cited around Airport restricted areas while some are cited on aviation fuel pipelines.
Oki, who described the situation as a disaster waiting to happen, expressed fear of a possible fire outbreak from the pipeline in future which he said could result in loss of lives and properties.
Furthermore, he said the builders also lacked the necessary documents as approvals for construction in that area.
According to the LASBCA boss, the buildings were illegally constructed out of clear disregard for the requirements of extant laws.
He said, “Nobody in his right thinking mind will go and buy a plot on a pipeline and build on the pipeline.”
In addition, he said that due consultations and communications have been made with enough time off over eight years, 2016, given to the occupants of the affected buildings to evacuate the structures.
He described the buildings on the land as a “National risk” to the airport being “extremely close”, stressing that “no life of a Nigerian is worth being lost to the dangers that the citing of the buildings pose.
Video: I could not bring out anything-Lady cries as she watch her house get demolished
