The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has defended its demolition of shanties and unapproved structures in Oworonshoki, insisting that the exercise followed due process after residents ignored repeated warnings.
Mr. Gbolahan Oki, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, told journalists in Lagos on Thursday that the affected buildings had been duly marked and served demolition notices. He said residents were given ample opportunity to regularise their properties under the state’s 2024 building permit amnesty programme.
The amnesty, which opened with a 90-day window from May to July 2024, was later extended to October and finally to December 2024. “Only two or three people in that community took advantage of the amnesty, and their buildings were spared. Others ignored all warnings,” Oki explained.
He noted that LASBCA, alongside community and traditional leaders, engaged residents through meetings and sensitisation before enforcement began. According to him, most of the demolished structures were distressed, blocked drainage channels, or posed security risks.
“Some of the houses tilted backwards with visible cracks, while others were merely painted to appear safe. Government cannot allow people to live in houses unfit for habitation. That is why we now insist that every property in Lagos must obtain a certificate of fitness for habitation,” he said.
Oki also revealed that securing planning permits has been simplified, with processing now taking between 10 and 15 days once documents are complete. He added that permit offices have been decentralised to all local government areas.
To demonstrate transparency, LASBCA showed journalists a three-minute video highlighting marked buildings and stakeholder meetings in Oworonshoki.
Oki stressed that the demolition was necessary to protect lives, restore drainage channels, and improve security in the area.
Records from the amnesty period show that 18,489 applications were submitted across the state, out of which 8,856 planning permits were issued.