The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to demolishing buildings that do not pass its integrity test, following a devastating fire at Dosunmu Market that destroyed 14 buildings and millions of Naira worth of goods.
Governor Jide Sanwo-Olu, who visited the scene of the fire, expressed his concern over the incident, stating that many residential apartments had been converted into warehouses. He emphasized that more buildings would be demolished after thorough assessments.
The Governor attributed the fire to gross carelessness, noting that it could have been prevented. According to Ibrahim Farinloye, the Lagos Territorial Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Authority, the fire started from a generator being refueled in the Penthouse of one of the buildings, spreading to other structures due to the presence of multiple generators.
As a result of the incident, Dosunmu Market will be closed indefinitely, and the government has pledged to support those affected by the fire in rebuilding their lives. Governor Sanwo-Olu reiterated the government’s commitment to enforcing construction regulations and ensuring the safety of residents and their properties.
He emphasized the importance of prioritizing preventive measures to avoid such disasters in the future, stating that resources should be allocated to more progressive initiatives rather than dealing with avoidable accidents.
