The Lagos State Government has ordered the demolition of the Article Shopping Complex in Satellite Town while issuing a strict 14-day ultimatum to owners of distressed commercial buildings in Agric and Coker markets to conduct structural integrity tests or risk further government action.
The directive followed an extensive inspection and enforcement exercise carried out by officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) at the affected locations in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area. According to the agency, several commercial buildings examined during the operation showed alarming structural defects, raising serious concerns about the safety of traders, business owners and visitors.
Speaking during the exercise, the Director of Quality Control and Post-Construction at LASBCA’s Badagry Division, Kolawole Williams, reaffirmed the government’s determination to prevent building collapses by strictly enforcing construction and safety regulations across Lagos State.
Williams disclosed that occupants of the Article Shopping Complex would first be evacuated before demolition begins. He also revealed that an office building under construction within the already distressed complex was demolished during the operation. The shopping complex had previously been marked for demolition and is located close to the site of last week’s tragic three-storey building collapse that claimed nine lives.
The agency said its inspections painted a worrying picture, with nearly 90 percent of the buildings assessed in Agric and Coker markets showing varying degrees of structural distress. Despite visible signs of deterioration, many of the buildings were still being used for commercial activities, exposing traders and customers to potential danger.
Officials noted that while some property owners had begun renovation work, repairs alone would not be accepted as proof of safety. Instead, every affected building must undergo a professional structural integrity test within the next 14 days, with the results submitted to LASBCA for evaluation before any further decision is taken.
The state government also warned that owners who ignore the directive or fail to comply with safety regulations could face prosecution. Authorities insist the crackdown forms part of broader efforts to protect lives and reduce the recurring incidents of building collapse across Lagos.
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