Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has ordered the demolition of all buildings marked as structurally distressed around the site of the collapsed three-storey building at Alakija, saying the government will no longer tolerate violations of building safety regulations.
The governor’s directive came on Friday during an inspection of the collapse site, where the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, represented him.
Omotoso disclosed that 27 people were rescued alive from the rubble, while nine others lost their lives despite an overnight search and rescue operation involving multiple emergency agencies.
“The search and rescue operation lasted all night. Still at the site are the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the Police, Command and Control Centre, Neighbourhood Safety Corps and other agencies,” he said.
Expressing the governor’s condolences to the bereaved families, Omotoso lamented that the tragedy could have been avoided.
“This should not have happened if people had obeyed the law instead of prioritising livelihoods over lives.
”The collapsed building had been marked as structurally distressed and occupants were directed to vacate the premises, but the warning was ignored,” he said.
He announced that all other buildings already marked as unsafe within the area would be demolished to prevent similar incidents.
“All other buildings already marked as unsafe within the area will be demolished to prevent similar tragedies and avoid a compromise of the lives of others around,” Omotoso stated.
The commissioner also warned that owners of the collapsed building and other distressed structures found to have violated building regulations or obstructed enforcement efforts would face prosecution.
“Anyone found to have violated building regulations or frustrated enforcement efforts will surely face legal action,” he said.
Omotoso further condemned the construction of buildings beneath high-tension electricity lines, describing the practice as “dangerous” and “suicidal.”
“You cannot build under high-tension power lines. It is dangerous and unacceptable in any civilised society. It shows disregard for the law, and the government will not tolerate that,” he said.
He disclosed that investigations into the cause of the collapse were ongoing, while survivors were receiving treatment at various hospitals across the state.
The commissioner urged residents occupying buildings around the collapse site to relocate immediately and comply with government safety directives, stressing that the protection of lives remained the state’s highest priority.
Also at the inspection were the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Gbenga Oyerinde, who commended the efforts of first responders, and the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, who praised emergency workers and security personnel for their tireless efforts in rescuing survivors and clearing the rubble.
