Lagos State Building Control Agency has demolished an illegal building under a powerline very close to Hamed Adebowale Street, Aguda in the Surulere Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement made available by the agency on Thursday, General Manager, Gbolahan Oki, allayed fears about the building, adding, “It is a disaster waiting to happen because of the electromagnetic waves from the powerline, which may cause a fire outbreak.”
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He said the Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law does not permit owners or developers to build under high-power electricity cables, and it specifies the distance that should be between a property and a public utility such as the PHCN power lines.
Oki stressed the government’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of Lagosians through the identification of illegal and non-conforming structures in the state, especially those built under high-tension wires.
“The safety and protection of lives and property of the citizenry are paramount to the government,” he said.
“Owners/developers must ensure their buildings are not erected under power lines or high tension wires, as such illegality will not be condoned by the government.
“LASBCA will intensify its effort to rid the state of illegality in the built environment by ensuring the state building codes are complied with,” the statement added.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
