The Lagos State government has linked the recent surge in building failures to the persistent failure of landlords and tenants to follow safety standards. Gbenga Omotoso, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, stated on Arise Television that authorities had already identified the structure in the Alakija area of Amuwo-Odofin as hazardous and slated it for removal prior to its collapse on Thursday.
Omotoso explained that although officials had sealed the building and ordered it cleared, occupants illegally re-entered the premises. He criticized property owners for valuing profit over human safety and ignoring legal directives. The commissioner noted that the state maintains rigorous enforcement protocols to identify and dismantle unsafe buildings before tragedy strikes.
Following the disaster, which resulted in nine deaths and 26 survivors, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered the immediate demolition of other compromised structures surrounding the Alakija site. Furthermore, the government has vowed to prosecute negligent property owners and penalize any Lagos State Building Control Agency officials found to have acted improperly regarding safety enforcement.
