The Lagos State Safety Commission on Monday threatened to seal a six-storey building under construction at 28, Saka Tinubu Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, for violation of safety standards, posing threats to lives and properties.
The PUNCH reports that occupiers of buildings around the construction site complained of the threat posed to their lives and property by the new building.
They told The PUNCH that the multi-floor construction did not adopt safety standards at the site, thereby causing damage to cars and other properties parked in offices in adjoining compounds around the building.
Residents said the developers of the new property, reportedly owned by a top traditional ruler in the South-West, failed to provide adequate safety measures such as barricades, safety nets and protective structures, which are required when building next to other properties.
“This has led to boulders and planks falling off the building into other compounds, causing damage to walls, windows, ceilings, and cars.
“More importantly, there are genuine fears that falling planks and pebbles could harm innocent people on the other premises and even lead to death,” they said in a ‘Save Our Soul’ message, obtained by our correspondent.
When contacted on Monday, the Deputy Director, Public Affairs Unit of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Adewunmi Okoh, noted that officials of the Commission had visited the site to ascertain the safety compliance, and observed that the site did not have safety compliance approval from the Commission.
“The site does not have net protection around the scaffold installed to protect surrounding buildings, other infrastructures, moving vehicles and passersby. No barriers at all levels to protect against falling objects,” Okoh told The PUNCH.
She added that the commission observed general poor housekeeping within the site.
“No safety signage around and within the site. No safety measures in place for personnel working on the site,” he stated.
The spokesperson noted that an abatement notice was immediately issued to the contractors to report to the office in 48 hours,” adding that “sealing of the facility will be effected if non-compliant.”
