By Monsuru Olowoopejo

Lagos—At least 1, 423 structures were sealed by the Lagos State Government for contravening construction permit last year, while 437 defective/distressed buildings were identified.

The state government, however, demolished 16 illegal and distressed buildings identified within the same period.

These were contained in the document signed by the State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Toyin Ayinde and obtained by Vanguard.

Ayinde said the prompt response of the state government ensured there were fewer collapsed building in the year under review, adding “The state has declared a zero tolerance to building collapse in the state.”

According to him “During the year under review, a total of 5,910 buildings were identified and served contravention notices. Of this number, a total of 1,423 were sealed for non-compliance out of which 395 were later unsealed for compliance. However, 94 broken seal were discovered and resealed by the state government.

“Forty-two building insurance policies were verified,  while 108 court summons were served on properties out of which 66 cases are still pending while 42 cases have been decided. 437 defective buildings were also identified.

“In 2014, 367 petitions/complaints were received out of which 45 were approved for sealing. 102 were amicably resolved, 208 are still under processing while 12 were approved for removal. Five out of the 12 cases approved for removal were achieved while the remaining seven are awaiting further directives,” he added.

The commissioner said eight structures collapsed during the year under review. And it includes the Synagogue Church Of All Nations, SCOAN building, adding “all the rubbles from these structures have been removed and discarded.”

Ayinde explained that the structures removed and rubbles were strategies adopted by the state government to forestall collapsed building and loss of lives in the state.

Also, the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Mrs. Abimbola Animashaun said to forestall collapsed building, the agency has established its offices in the 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas, LCDAS.