All plans have been concluded by the government of Akinwunmi Ambode in Lagos to demolish a building believed to belong to the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji (Dr) Abdulazeez Arisekola Alao.
The Government of Lagos State is planning to do this through the Lagos State Building Construction Agency.
The four-storey structure situated opposite the Ebute-Ero Police Station, Lagos Island, was labeled as abandoned and distressed by LASBCA.
LASBCA commenced the demolition of dilapidated and distressed buildings across the state on Monday.
Although Arisekola’s building was not demolished on Monday, some other buildings nearby were pulled down.
It was gathered that some policemen from the Ebute-Ero division prevented LASBCA from demolishing Arisekola’s building.
Reporters got to know that some policemen lived in the building, which had allegedly been abandoned for 25 years.
The General Manager of LASBCA, Lekan Shodehinde, said the agency prioritised Lagos Island due to the peculiarity of the area to avoid further cases of building collapse.
He explained that owners of the affected building were given enough time before demolition.
He said, “The affected houses were tested and found distressed. The house you are talking about (Arisekola’s house) is an abandoned house. Distress, could be foundation or super-structure failure, but once a building has been confirmed distressed, it will be demolished.”
Attempts to reach, Arisekola’s son, Umar, who was said to visit the property, proved abortive.
Credit: punchng.com
