Confusion As Lagos Demolishes Surulere Buildings Over Setback Breaches

The Lagos State Building Control Agency has partially demolished sections of illegally constructed buildings behind Barracks Bus Stop in Surulere after their owners allegedly failed to comply with repeated enforcement notices.

The agency said the action followed months of monitoring and inspections, which revealed that the affected structures violated provisions of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law as well as other building regulations.

According to LASBCA, the buildings exceeded approved setback limits by encroaching on spaces designated for safety, accessibility and orderly physical development.

The agency also said investigations showed that the developers could not produce valid planning approvals for the structures and that the buildings contravened the state’s building codes, posing potential risks to occupants, adjoining properties and the environment.

LASBCA said it had earlier served the developers with statutory contravention and enforcement notices directing them to stop construction and regularise the developments.

It added that the owners failed to comply with the directives despite being given opportunities to do so, prompting the agency to commence partial demolition of the offending sections.

The agency said the enforcement exercise was carried out as part of its statutory responsibility to prevent illegal developments and ensure compliance with approved building standards across Lagos.

It maintained that structures erected without approval or in violation of approved setbacks constitute safety hazards and undermine orderly urban planning.

LASBCA urged property owners, developers and contractors to obtain all necessary planning permits before commencing construction and to ensure that building works strictly conform to approved plans.

The agency also appealed to residents to report illegal developments and distressed buildings in their communities, assuring them that it would continue monitoring construction activities and enforcing building regulations across the state.

 

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