Sanwo-Olu orders demolition of more buildings over market fire incident

By Lukman Olabiyi

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered the demolition of any structure built without compliance to the law of the state.

The governor gave the marching order, yesterday, during his on-the-spot assessment of Dosumu Market, which was recently consumed by fire.

The fire outbreak destroyed no fewer than 14 buildings with four buildings collapsing. Governor Sanwo-Olu said his visit to the scene of the incident was to ascertain the level of damage done by the fire.

Addressing the press, Sanwo-Olu said the government would wield the big stick by demolishing houses that did not have government’s building approval, adding that his administration would not fold hands and allow careless destruction of properties. He said the Dosunmu Market and other nearby markets would remain closed until the fire is totally put out and the market completely cleaned-up.

“I want to say, without any iota of doubt, that some other buildings are still going to go down; this is totally unacceptable. We will not allow a few people, who will not comply with our laws, put the lives of others in danger. Physical planning authority, LASBCA, is going to be having a difficult time with me, and when they have a difficult time with me, you will know they will come on the street. This fire incident is happening too often, and it is totally unacceptable.

“People put generators on top of roofs, on the third and fourth floors of buildings, and we have said that it is unacceptable in residential houses, and we have seen the consequences of inaction, consequences of us not being responsive and responsible. Thankfully, no lives have been lost, but you can see the amount of property that has been wasted; you can see the amount of assets and collateral damages that have been wasted. So, this is a call to others outside here, that the government will not shy away from its responsibility.

“We will come really hard on structures and property that do not comply with our rules, we will bring them down. And I am going to shut down this place as long as it takes; there will be zero tolerance all around here”, he said.