The Lagos State Government has commenced the demolition of distressed buildings in the Oyingbo, Ebute-Metta area of the state.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, OLUYINKA OLUMIDE who led the demolition exercise said that the government was compelled to resort to the demolition of the structures to protect lives as most of the buildings failed the structural integrity test.

OLUMIDE decried the situation in which occupants of affected buildings refused to evacuate the buildings after enough notice, adding that life was more important than buildings. 

The commissioner therefore enjoined owners of distressed buildings to take the initiative of pulling down the structures. 

He urged them not to wait for the government to do so as it would confiscate any land where it removed distressed structures.

The General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, GBOLAHAN OKI also appealed to Lagosians to feel free to always inform the government about distressed buildings and other physical planning infractions noticed within their neighbourhoods.