Ayodele Olalere
A secondary incident was on Friday averted by the Lagos State Environment Management Authority, LASEMA,following a report of a distressed building.
According to the agency through its Director General, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, a secondary incident involving a building at 7, Sule Close, Ijora badia in Orile axis of Lagos, was sealed-off due to lack of maintainance by its owner.
According to the agency, the ill maintained, distressed building “showed visible cracks on it’s walls and pillars, and was sealed-off by LASEMA Response Team in conjunction with it’s collaborators and other responders from the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning, to save lives of residents incase of a total collapse, while awaiting outcome of it’s integrity tests.”
Other agencies involved in the sealing off of the building included Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, LASPPPA, the Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory, LMTL, the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA and the Apapa Iganmu Local Council Development Authority, LCDA, Environmental Unit.
In a preliminary report by the LASEMA Response Team, it stated that “Upon arrival at The scene of incident, it was discovered that a three storey building is distressed and showing visible cracks on the walls and pillars due to lack of maintenance.
However, no loss of lives nor injuries were sustained at the scene. LRT, LASPPPA, LMTL and Apapa Iganmu LCDA Environmental Unit are responders at the scene, where all occupants of the said building had been evacuated and the entire building has been cordoned off and sealed to prevent any secondary incident.”
The report, according to the agency, followed the LASEMA DG’s earlier alert in the days on the compromised building.
“The attention of the agency has been drawn to a building with failing structural integrity at the above address.
“The agency’s response team alongside with LABCA and Lagos State Material Testing Agency will be carrying out a full inspection and additional testing.
“The results will determine whether the building will be allowed to remain standing or whether it will be leveled to ground zero.
“Residents are advised to exercise caution, and where possible, seek alternate lodging until the integrity of the building is determined.
“We are determined to prevent the unfortunate incidence of lives being lost due to unsafe building conditions and are working with all stakeholders to prevent more of the same across Lagos.”
