Lagos State Government Revokes Building Permits, Orders Revalidation Following Recent Collapse
In a move aimed at preventing future building collapses, the Lagos State Government has revoked all existing building permits and ordered builders to reapply for validation to continue construction. The decision was announced by Dr Olajide Babatunde, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on e-GIS and Urban Development, during a visit to the collapsed building site in Maryland, Ikeja, on Saturday.
The visit was in response to a building collapse that occurred on Thursday at 13, Wilson Mba Street, Arowojobe Estate, Maryland, Lagos, which resulted in the loss of five lives. The collapse has sparked widespread outrage and concern about the safety of buildings in the state.
According to Dr Babatunde, all commencement certifications in Lagos are revoked effective immediately, and builders are required to return to the Lagos State Building Collapse Agency (LASBCA) office to revalidate their documents. He emphasized that those who fail to comply with this new rule will have their construction sites sealed.
Dr Babatunde acknowledged the government’s responsibility in preventing building collapse and blamed property owners and developers for negligence and violations of building regulations. He stressed the importance of obtaining a Certificate of Completion or Fitness for Habitation before occupying a building and warned that failure to comply will be a criminal offence.
LASBCA will increase enforcement, including using private consultants to inspect buildings, to ensure compliance with building regulations. The agency will also conduct comprehensive inspections of buildings in the affected estate, marking and demolishing those deemed unsafe.
The General Manager of LASBCA, Gbolahun Oki, outlined the agency’s response to the recent building collapse and its plans for preventing future incidents. He emphasized the need for rigorous building inspections and approvals, particularly in areas with poor soil conditions.
Oki also stressed the importance of having a full team of professionals (architect, structural engineer, electrical, mechanical, and builder) on construction sites to ensure adherence to building codes. He added that the agency will strictly enforce construction hours (7.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.) and prohibit on-site sleeping to improve worker safety.
The Lagos State Government is also calling on private professionals to collaborate with the government to strengthen building regulation enforcement in the state.
