Ebute-Metta collapse: “Evacuate immediately” – Lagos govt urges occupants of identified distressed buildings

In the wake of Friday morning’s building collapse in Ebute-Metta area, the Lagos State Government has urged occupants of all identified distressed buildings in the state to evacuate immediately.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide said this on Friday, according to a statement issued by Deputy Director, Public Affairs of the ministry, Mukaila Sanusi.

The Herald can report that a three-floor building with a penthouse caved in at Lagos Street by Herbert Macauley, Ebute-Metta earlier in the day.

Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye confirmed in a statement that three persons, including a baby, were trapped in the collapsed building.

Speaking at the site of the unfortunate incident, the Commissioner, said that the building, having been marked distressed and published in the dailies as such, was partially demolished by LASBCA after serving the statutory notices, including evacuation notice.

He noted that he recently supervised the marking and service of notices to a number of distressed buildings in the Ebute-Metta area.

Olumide said it was appalling that people would refuse to evacuate distressed buildings after being officially asked to do so.

He said, “I deeply sympathise with the casualties but remain puzzled at why people would choose to stay in a distressed building, in spite of the serious danger to lives and property.”

He urged all occupants of distressed buildings in the state to vacate immediately as the government would be more stringent in applying physical planning laws.

The ministry said more information would be provided as it emerged as rescue operations were ongoing.

The ministry said the commissioner was accompanied by the Special Adviser e-GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Babatunde; the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Engr. Oluwole Sotire; General Manager, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), Tpl. Kehinde Osinaike and General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency( LASBCA), Arc. Gbolahan Oki.