Kwara orders demolition of unsafe two-storey building in Ilorin

By Imisioluwa Afunmiso

The Kwara State Government has ordered the immediate demolition of a two-storey building in the Oke-Suna area of Ilorin East Local Government Area after declaring the structure unsafe and a threat to lives and property.

The directive, issued through the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA), followed complaints from residents over the deteriorating condition of the building and fears that it could collapse.

In a statement by the agency’s Press Secretary, Aliyu Amode, KWEPA said it sealed the premises after receiving several distress reports from members of the community.

The agency said it conducted an emergency inspection of the building to avert a possible disaster.

According to the statement, an elderly resident told officials during the inspection that the community had repeatedly warned the owner about the building’s deteriorating condition and urged him to undertake necessary repairs, but the warnings were allegedly ignored.

KWEPA General Manager, Jide Aina, described the structure as a grave danger to public safety and directed the owner to commence its immediate demolition.

“The condition of the building constitutes a grave danger to public safety. The owner is hereby directed to commence its immediate demolition,” Aina said.

He warned that failure to comply with the directive would leave the state government with no option but to demolish the structure to protect lives and property.

Aina reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding residents through proactive environmental enforcement, strict compliance with urban safety regulations and the timely removal of hazardous structures.

He also urged residents to support the agency by promptly reporting abandoned buildings, distressed structures and other environmental hazards for immediate intervention.