Lagos demolishes sinking six-storey building in Ikoyi

The Lagos State Building Control Agency has demolished a distressed six-storey residential building located at No. 10 Olufemi Pedro Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, over structural defects and signs of imminent collapse.

The agency said the action was taken to protect lives and adjoining properties following findings from a routine inspection carried out in the area.

In a Tuesday statement shared by the state governor’s Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Jubril Gawat, LASBCA said the building was identified during a monitoring exercise within the Ikoyi-Obalende District, where officials discovered multiple structural failures.

It stated, “The six-floor residential structure was identified during a routine monitoring exercise carried out by officials of the Agency within the Ikoyi-Obalende District.”

The agency added that further assessment revealed severe damage to the building’s structure.

“Findings from the inspection showed that the building had developed serious structural defects, including foundation failure and visible signs of sinking,” it said.

According to LASBCA, the structure also showed multiple forms of cracking and instability.

It stated, “The structure also exhibited differential settlement, indicating movement within the foundation.”

The agency further disclosed that the building had already been marked for enforcement action before its removal.

“Prior to the removal exercise, LASBCA served the property with all the necessary statutory notices, including Contravention Notice for Distressed Structure, Seal-Up Notice, and Demolition Notice in accordance with the provisions of the law,” the statement read.

LASBCA said the property had earlier been sealed and that due process was followed before demolition.

It added, “The building had earlier been sealed by the Enforcement Department of the Agency, while site inspections, documentation, photographs, and other enforcement procedures were duly carried out.”

The agency explained that the owner failed to respond to official notices issued on the property.

“According to the Agency’s report, the owner or developer had not responded to the notices served on the property as at the time the report was prepared,” it stated.

Speaking on the development, the General Manager of LASBCA, Gbaye Florence, said the demolition became necessary due to the level of structural distress observed.

She said, “The removal of the building became necessary due to the level of distress observed on the structure.”

She added that the decision was taken to prevent a potential collapse.

“She noted that the decision to remove the distressed structure was taken to prevent possible building collapse that could result in loss of lives and damage to adjoining properties,” LASBCA said.

The agency reiterated its commitment to public safety and urged property owners to comply with building regulations and obtain necessary approvals before construction.

LASBCA assured all that it will continue monitoring buildings across Lagos State to prevent structural failures and safeguard residents.