Residents and passers-by weekend agonised the demolition of 13 mansions in Ajao Estate by the Lagos State Government.
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The removal was part of ongoing actions by the government to take down buildings that do not comply with the Lagos Urban and Regional Planning Development Law, 2019.
In video footages of the demolition exercise which commenced on Friday, aggrived residents could be heard lamenting that action with some alleging that officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, did not allow them remove their properties including documents.
The now viral video generated mixed feelings across social media platforms with some tagging the exercise as witch-hunt by the government against those perceived to have voted against the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the just concluded general elections.
But LASBCA in a statement explained that the affected buildings were constructed on aviation fuel pipeline right of way and were too close to Murtala International Airport exclusive area.
LASBCA‘s General Manager, Gbolahan Oki, who briefed journalists on Friday, said the demolished buildings lacked required approvals and were cited around Airport restricted areas.
He noted that the situation was a disaster waiting to happen, expressing concerns of possible fore outbreaks that could result in avoidable loss of lives and properties if unresolved.
According to Oki, the buildings did not have required approvals nor necessary permits for construction in the area, adding that there were Illegally constructed in clear disregard of extant laws.
The LASBCA boss claimed that owners and occupants were given ample time to leave, adding that they had been series of communications since 2016 in respect to the structures.
Oki said: “Nobody in his right thinking mind will go and buy a plot on a pipeline and build on the pipeline.”
“The proximity of these structures to the airport constitute national risk. No life of a Nigerian is worth being lost to the dangers that the citing of the buildings pose.”
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