LASBCA demolishes illegal structures on Lagos Island

The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Building Control Agency, has pulled down some structures in the Ikate Elegushi area of the state over the lack of proper approval or authorisation.

 LASBCA’s Director of Public Affairs, Adu Ademuyiwa, noted in a statement that the joint enforcement operation was carried out on Saturday by the Office of Urban Development and LASBCA, targeting structures that contravened building regulations and encroached on drainage setbacks.

 The Lagos State Assembly House Committee Chairman on Physical Development, Sylvester Ogunkelu, who also joined the operation, affirmed that the Assembly fully supported the drive to sanitise the built environment in Lagos.

According to him, compliance with building regulations is non-negotiable, noting that unregulated development endangers lives and puts pressure on critical infrastructure.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki, emphasised that “illegal construction continues to pose significant challenges to environmental sustainability and urban planning within the state.”

Oki reiterated that the ministry remained committed to supporting LASBCA in ensuring that all building developments across Lagos meet the required standards.

On her part, the Acting General Manager of LASBCA, Gbaye Florence, expressed the agency’s resolve to intensify monitoring across all zones.

She explained that the structures being removed had been served multiple notices, including stop-work orders and demolition notices, but the owners refused to comply.

The enforcement team also moved to the Lekki–Ikoyi axis, where buildings erected under high-tension power lines were marked for demolition.

The move follows several demolitions that have taken place in Lagos in areas like Oworonshoki, Trade Fair, Ikota, etc. While building owners lament losses, the state government has insisted that property developers must get proper approvals.