South West

Fire outbreak danger: Why we demolished buildings in Ajao Estate — LASG

Published

1 year ago

May 1, 2023

NewsDirect

…Says affected buildings defied extant laws, built around pipelines, lack documents

…They constitute threat to aviation security, coverage for oil theft menace — FAAN

By Moses Adeniyi

The Lagos State Government (LASG) has given reasons why some buildings constructed at I.K. Peter Street, Ajao Estate, cited in close proximity to the Murtala International Airport, Lagos, were pulled down.

The General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, disclosed, weekend, that the buildings demolished were found wanting of lacking required approvals, and forming threats having been cited in close proximity around pipelines bearing aviation fuel.

Oki who feared the havoc that a fire outbreak from the pipeline could cause to lives and properties, said the builders also lacked required documents including Certificate of Occupancy (C.O.O).

According to the GM, the buildings were illegal structures constructed out of clear disregard to the requirements of extant laws.

Mentioning that the buildings had no planning permit and were built around the pipelines, he remarked that “nobody in his right thinking mind will go and buy a plot on a pipeline and build on the pipeline.”

He lamented that some of the property owners went to the extent of laying foundations on pipeline, mentioning that due consultations and communications have been made with enough time of about two years given to the occupants of the affected buildings to evacuate the structures.

Oki lamented that building collapse in Lagos had been a subject of “attitudinal problem,” mentioning that the buildings were a national risks to the Airport being “extremely close,” mentioning that no life of a Nigerian is worth being lost to the dangers that the citing of the buildings pose.

He, however, cautioned those slamming criticisms on the government to always dig deep into the right information, calling on them to hear from the side of the government, and not hastily jump into conclusion by being sympathetic to property owners, without considering the danger and hazards that the buildings would cause, should the government turn a blind eyes.

He lamented that the widespread menace of building without securing approval is a defective behaviour that the public must fight together.

The GM who called on Lagosians to report cases of illegal structures to the government, said “turning a blind face to such constructions”, would bear untoward consequences with far reaching losses.

On the reports making rounds over incidents of reoccurring collapse of buildings, Oki said recorded incidents, so far, have to do with buildings which developers failed to secure its approval for supervision.

He noted that it was important for builders and developers after securing approval for construction from the appropriate authorities, to, before storming cite for work, write the Agency for monitoring.

According to him, the onus lies on the Agency to carry out routine checks on buildings at each stage of development until final completion, upon which he said the Agency would certify the building “sound” and “fit for habitation,” thereby issuing a “certificate of fitness,” showing compliance to rules and regulations.

On its part, the authority of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), said it invited the Lagos State Government to step into the issue after several warnings in attempt to stop the constructions of buildings were not yielded by those it called “encroachers,” who took from the land of the Airport.

Speaking over the weekend, the General Manager, Business Development, FAAN, Mr. Ngwu Hycienth, applauded the partnership with LASBCA to bring normalcy and decency to the Airport environment.

Noting that airport environment is controlled not only by national, but also by international laws, he lamented that the buildings in question formed security threats to the Murtala International Airport.

According to him, the lands of the Airport were duly acquired and gazetted by the Federal Government for public use starting from 1944, extended in 1972 and 1975, as the expanse of land forming the Murtala International Airport.

He, however, lamented that the Authorities of the Airport began to notice encroachment on its land in 2015, defying the standard rule that no building must be cited close to the perimeter fence.

He lamented that some of the encroachers did not only build too close to the fence, but also had structures higher in height than the specifications, noting that there have also been incidents of thefts of aviation fuel and properties at the cargo terminals almost on weekly basis.

Ngwu mentioned that the existence of those buildings at a time when terrorist threats are echoing, is a danger that must be checked, mentioning that such buildings if not pulled down could be exploited.

He lamented that should such threats be not checked, it could generate untoward circumstances leading to closure of the Airport, which he said would inform huge economic losses as the Airport generates 60 per cent of revenue to FAAN and 40 per cent to the FG.

He, however, disclosed that on a letter written to the President by the property owners asking for regularistion, about 200 buildings were given consideration.

No fewer than 13 buildings were on Friday pulled down by an enforcement team led by the LASBCA.

South West

Ogun Govt threatens to demolish illegal structures on Agro-Cargo Airport corridor

Published

3 weeks ago

April 29, 2024

NewsDirect

By Omobolaji Adekunle, Abeokuta

Ogun State Government has stated that it would not hesitate to demolish any illegal structure encroaching government land with particular reference to illegal structures springing up at the Agro-Cargo Airport corridor in the state.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, TPl Olatunji Odunlami, who stated this in a chat with journalists in Abeokuta, lamented the activities of encroachers, who he said have taken over most land acquired by the government in the interest of the public.

He expressed concern with the way illegal structures were springing up in the Agro-Cargo Airport corridor, adding that all structures in the area that contravened government regulation would be pulled down.

According to him, several contravention notices served the encroachers in the area were ignored, and the government has no other option than to demolish such structures.

“The Agro-Cargo Airport, which is set to commence scheduled flights soon, is a legacy project of this administration that is already attracting foreign partners to invest in the State. Such investment will generate employment opportunities that will impact positively on the development of the area, and bring visibility to the State,” Odunlami noted.

The Commissioner further stated that the government would not stand by and allow the activities of some people to negate international standards on situating airports and other public facilities, as the closeness of such structures to the airport posed a threat to the quality of lives of the inhabitants of such buildings.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, advised the public to approach relevant government agencies before committing their resources into lands and projects that might not align with the overall goal of government, affirming that government is a continuum and acquired lands would be developed in the course of time.

“When the Airport becomes fully operational, the noise from the aeroplanes alone can lead to health hazards for those living near it, and this is only one of the several challenges poised from living in such an area. Ogun State will continue to follow international aviation standards for citing of airports, even as it works to protect the welfare of its people,” the Special Adviser noted.

South West

Adeleke to flag off dualisation of Ilesa Akure expressway

Published

3 weeks ago

April 29, 2024

NewsDirect

By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke will flag off the dualisation of Ilesa Akure expressway junction – Brewery – Ereja/Palace Square, Ilesa on Tuesday, 30th April.

Also, the flag off of the construction of Lagere Junction flyover, Ile Ife will be done by the Governor as part of the infrastructure plan of his administration.

This was contained in a statement signed by governor’s spokesperson Olawale Rasheed.

The statement read in part, “The full details of the projects including the length of the road, cost and duration of the construction will be disclosed by the Governor at the venue of the flag off.

“Making the flag off announcement earlier today, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Integration, Dr. B.T. Salam assured the people of Ijesaland and Ile Ife that the infrastructure plan of the current administration under Governor Adeleke is all inclusive and will touch every region in the state.

“The flag off of the Ilesa Akure expressway Junction – Brewery – Ereja/Palace Square dualisation will be performed by Mr Governor before the commencement of IPADE Imole on Tuesday. In addition, the Lagere junction flyover will be flagged off for the commencement of the project.

“Our infrastructure plan is progressing well. We are confident that we will implement all the projects as planned across all the zones in the state,” Mr. Salam added.

Meanwhile, preparation is in top gear for the successful hosting of the second edition of Ipade Imole, a citizen engagement session with Governor Adeleke, to be held at Oba Adekunle Aromolaran Civic Centre, Ilesa on Tuesday 30th April, 2024.

The invitation has been extended to relevant stakeholders and citizens of the state to join Mr Governor and members of the State Executive Council for the second edition of this programme.

South West

Sanwo-Olu harps on partnership with NASS, FG to achieve economic prosperity

Published

2 months ago

March 29, 2024

NewsDirect

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has harped on increased partnership and concerted efforts on the part of the Federal Government and federal lawmakers to achieve economic prosperity.

Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the National Assembly Joint Committee on Works at the Lagos House, Marina. The Joint Committee comprised members of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Works, led by Senator Barinada Mpigi and Hon. Akin Alabi, respectively.

Sanwo-Olu noted that there are challenges even with the huge opportunities in Lagos. He therefore stressed the need to build more infrastructure, maintain existing ones, and make funding available to keep them in proper shape to serve the people of Lagos better.

He said, “We want to thank President Bola Tinubu for his great vision in ensuring that different parts of the country have meaningful, impactful, and purposeful governance, and he is showing it in all of his various interventions. The latest being the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund that the government is trying to put together.

“Lagos deserves, desires, and requires some of the infrastructure that you have gone around to inspect because it is important for us to build additional infrastructure, but more importantly, it is important to maintain and preserve existing infrastructure because these are assets that belong to all of us, the Nigerian people.

“For us as a government, we see ourselves as partners with the National Assembly and the Federal Government, because indeed, what we see at the end of the day is that our people get service. It is about the Nigerian conversation. It is about building our economy, nation, and country.

“We are excited that those investments are being made, and we want to assure you that this investment will be put to good use, preserved, and maintained properly. We will ensure that it brings about economic development for our people.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu, while commending the joint partnership between the Senate and the House of Representatives, encouraged members of the 10th National Assembly to continue to be passionate about their constituencies and ensure representational governance.

“We are all partners in progress, and what I will encourage you to do is let us not be deterred by whatever force that is trying to bring us down. Let us not be discouraged by forces of ethnic dimension, issues around kidnapping, banditry, and unwarranted death. That is not who we are. We are people who are driven by the willingness to create wealth, make life meaningful for citizens, and create opportunities for one another,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the team, Senator Barinada Mpigi, said they are in Lagos as part of their oversight function to see firsthand some of the Federal Government’s major projects ongoing in Lagos and its environs, which include the 700-km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, repair works on the 3rd Mainland Bridge, and the Carter Bridge, amongst others.

The Senate Committee Chairman on Works commended the efforts of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration in complementing the Federal Government’s infrastructural drive in the commercial nerve centre of the country.

He also commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for doing a great job with the level of security around Lagos, particularly the Red and Blue rail lines.

Senator Mpigi, in the same vein, commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who seems to be a round peg in the round hole going by the level and quality of work ongoing at the project site.