Speeches

One-Day Forum on Collapse Buildings in Lagos State

Jun 27, 2007 - It is with mixed feelings that I am here to give this keynote address at this one-day forum aimed at finding a lasting solution to the spate of collapse of buildings in Lagos State. On one hand, I am saddened by the unfortunate events, and on the other, I am determined to address the issue head on. This administration is barely one month old; and we have recorded four (4) cases of collapsed buildings between June 16th and 25th, 2007 – a period of less than two (2) weeks.

Let me remind you that: On Saturday, 16th June 2007, a 5-floor structure at No. 33B, Egerton Street, Oke-Arin, Lagos, collapsed. On Sunday, 17th June 2001, at No. 71, Agoro Street, Lagos, roof slab of a 4-floor structure had partial collapse. (i) On June 20th, 2007, 2nd floor balcony of a 3-floor structure collapsed at No. 8, Ashaka Street, Abule-Nla, Ebute-Metta.
(II) While on June 25th, 2007, one (1) bungalow had a partial collapse at No. 26, Moshalasi Street, off Agege Motor Road in Mushin.
(III) The collapse at No. 33B, Egerton Street resulted in the loss of five (5) lives, while no life was lost at the other three (3) sites.

Ladies and gentlemen, you will agree with me that no responsible Government will fold its hands and allow this
unpleasant spate of building collapse to continue unabated. It has become worrisome and devastating that several lives and property have been lost despite the efforts of government to arrest the problem. Some of the strategies being adopted by the State government to curb the incessant building collapse in the State include the following:
(i) Employment of Physical Development Inspectors: Over two hundred (200) Physical Development Inspectors (PDI)
were employed by the Government of His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to effectively monitor and report construction works that were deemed not only to be illegal, but suspected to be poorly constructed. This is to forestall the construction of substandard buildings by unqualified professionals or quacks, which usually lead to the collapse of such buildings.

(ii) The Lagos State Government in an attempt to further curb the incidences of building collapse had established the
Lagos State Building Material Testing Laboratory to see to the standardization of building materials used in the
construction of physical structures. The laboratory will also ensure that the quality of materials being used is
guaranteed.

(iii) The Lagos State Government has enacted an enabling Law to provide for the administration of Physical Planning,
Urban and Regional Development in Lagos State, Establishment and Functions of Physical Planning and
Development Agencies and for connected purposes. This is to guide physical development in Lagos State to prevent cases of collapse.

I wish to restate here that the Government will continue to forcefully acquire the site of any physical structures that
collapse due to negligence on the part of the owners or the developers as provided for in Section 74 of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, 2005.

Meanwhile, this Government has identified several defective structures in different areas of Lagos State which have been earmarked for demolition. Furthermore, we have identified and designated two (2) locations in Epe and Jobili-Ijanikin, where low cost housing schemes are to be provided for the relocation of people to be displaced when these defective buildings are demolished.

However, as a precautionary measure some defected/distressed houses have been sealed off. And I want to assure you that the sealing off of distressed or defective buildings is not a punitive measure, rather, it is intended to protect lives and property.

I would also like to use this medium to appeal to all residents of such buildings to desist from sneaking back into such houses as the Government will apply appropriate measures to deal with such culprit(s), including arrest and prosecution.

Ladies and gentlemen, collapse of buildings is already a hydraheaded problem in Lagos State, and it can easily be traced to the ignorant but criminal design of property developers and shylock landlords who want to exploit the inadequate stock of housing in the mega city of Lagos by hastily constructing multi storey structures without requisite building plans and approvals. The solution to this problem is multi-dimensional and multifaceted. This is why all the stakeholders namely: the various professionals in the built environment, non-governmental Organisations, Community Based Organisations, Community Development Association, Traditional Rulers, etc. have been brought to this forum to find a lasting solution to the problem. Our hope and aspiration is to achieve a zero-tolerance level for building collapse and to create healthy environment that will be investment-friendly and disaster-free.

Thank you for your attention and God bless.

“Eko o ni baje o!”

Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN)
Governor of Lagos State