Houses under power line for demolition, says Lagos govt
By Eniola Idris
The Lagos State Building Control Agency, (LASBCA), Enforcement Gang has served Peace Estate in Gbagada and its environs abatement notices for structures illegally erected under high tension cables and on pipelines as the structures are in defiance of the State’s Physical Planning Law.
During the exercise, not less than 50 structures were issued abatement notices with a directive to vacate the place before the commencement of their removal.
A statement issued by the General Manager of LABSCA, Arc. Gbolahan Oki, said that if the illegal act is not checked on time, such developments would pose a huge threat to residents, distort the aesthetics and threaten the security architecture of the State.
He explained that the enforcement against all buildings under power lines is a testament that the Agency has gone a step further in establishing its presence across all strata of the built environment in the State.
“The Building Planning Law being enforced by LASBCA does not limit our operations to only removal of distressed, non-conforming and haphazard buildings but also covers shanties and structures under powerlines” Oki said.
According to him, following reports from concerned citizens over the erection of structures under powerlines and its attendant health hazard to residents, the Agency swung into action to remove all illegal structures on the pipelines and under powerlines in the interest of public health and safety of Lagosians.
He, however, urged all residents of the State to continue to abide by the provisions of the Lagos State Building and Planning Laws in order to achieve the developmental plans of the government.
According to Oki, the exercise is geared towards ensuring a sustainable, organised and livable environment for the citizens of Lagos as the State has zero-tolerance for all structures and property built under high tension cables.
