Follow Us on Google
A property owner on Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, Mr Kevin Gabriel, has petitioned the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) over alleged unsafe construction activities at a neighbouring property beside his house.
Gabriel, who owns No 50, Glover Road, said that the property shares a boundary fence with the construction site at 18C, Glover Road, expressing concern over what he described as potential risks to his family, building and property.
In the petition addressed to the General Manager of LASBCA, Gabriel called for an urgent inspection of the construction site and verification of its building approval and compliance with relevant building control regulations.
According to him, the construction at the adjoining property was being carried out close to the boundary, which he alleged did not comply with the required setback provisions.
He said: “The construction is built to the edge with no setback, violating physical planning laws and encroaching on the airspace of my property.”
Gabriel also raised concerns about the safety measures allegedly being adopted at the site, claiming that construction materials and debris had fallen into his compound on many occasions.
He said: “No safety measures are being put in place. Debris, cement, rods and materials fall directly into my compound where my family lives.”
The petitioner further alleged that activities involving heavy machinery and piling had resulted in vibrations which, according to him, had caused cracks to parts of his property.
“Use of heavy machinery and piling has caused severe vibration leading to cracks on my walls, fence and floor,” he stated.
Gabriel also expressed concern about the approval and regulatory status of the development, although he acknowledged that this would need to be verified by the relevant authorities.
He said the “speed, design and disregard for standards” at the site had raised concerns about whether the necessary approvals and regulatory supervision were in place.
“My building is now structurally at risk and my family lives in constant fear of collapse and injury.”
Consequently, Gabriel appealed to LASBCA to urgently deploy its enforcement team to the property to inspect the construction and verify its approval status.
He appealed to the agency to consider stopping further construction pending confirmation of compliance with applicable building control, safety and setback requirements.
In addition, the petitioner requested that the developer be directed to conduct a non-destructive integrity test on his building to determine its structural condition and assess any possible impact arising from the construction activities.
He further called for the repair of any damage that may be established to have resulted from the construction.
“I count on your prompt intervention to prevent loss of lives and property,” Gabriel said in the petition.
He attached photographs of the affected areas to the petition for the consideration of LASBCA.
The claims concerning building approval, setback compliance, construction safety and alleged structural damage therefore remain subject to verification by the relevant authorities and, where necessary, further assessment by qualified professionals.
