Traders at Nigeria’s biggest electronics hub, Alaba International Market, are lamenting the ongoing demolition of some buildings in the market by the Lagos State government.
On Sunday, traders in the market alleged that the Lagos government did not give any prior notice before commencing the demolition.
Footages circulated on social media show traders weeping profusely over the buildings being pulled down by bulldozers while their wares were still inside the buildings.
However, the general manager of Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbolahan Oki revealed that 17 buildings in the Ojo Local Government Area where the market is situated have been assessed and approved for demolition.
The agency said prior to demolition, traders were duly informed to evict the buildings with their wares.
“These buildings marked within this ALABA International Market would have been included in the list of 349 distressed buildings earlier published in different national newspapers this year but because the occupants were always harassing our officers, it was impossible to capture the details of the structures and include them in the publication,” he said.
“What we have done now is a joint exercise carried out by both the Lagos Task Force officers and the demolition gang of Lagos State Building Control Agency. The buildings would be demolished,” he noted.
Mr Oki noted that Alaba International Market being the biggest electronic market in Nigeria should follow proper guidelines in the construction and renovation of buildings in the market.
“We know that this area is a commercial centre and one of the busiest markets in Lagos State but despite this, we cannot fold our arms and allow irregularities to continue to thrive in the market where the lives of innocent persons would be put at risk because of the failure of a few set of individuals who have refused to do the needful,” he said.
The official asked Lagosians to always inform the government about distressed buildings and infractions noticed within their neighbourhoods by bringing such infractions to the attention of relevant government agencies.
He advised residents, especially property owners, to desist from patronising touts and impostors in the processing of building approvals in an attempt to subvert due process which will eventually put their properties at risk.
Recently, the agency in a publication listed 349 buildings assessed and approved for demolition across all the state.
Lagos has been faced with several building collapses over the years causing a major loss of lifes in the state.
Despite government warnings, contractors and house owners continue to violate the law to build and renovate houses with weakened structures.
