Dilapidated buildings: ODSG goes tough
By Josephine Oguntoyinbo
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In its commitment to safeguarding the lives of people, Ondo State Government has issued quit notice to residents of cracked and partially collapsed buildings in the state.
Speaking during a monitoring exercise in Akure embarked on by the State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, the State Commissioner in the ministry, Prince Solagbade Amodeni made it clear that the lives of the people will not be put at risk going by their ignorance of the grave danger involved in living or carrying out businesses in dilapidated and partially collapsed buildings.
While at the premises of a partially collapsed building at Continental road off Nepa road in Akure, Prince Amodeni, directed the enforcement squad of the ministry to issue a Quit Notice to residents of the building and recommended the house for demolition after red-marking it.
He maintained that the ministry will continue to move round the city to ensure that houses like it are recommended for demolition, adding that adequate sensitization will not be stopped to let the people know that houses in this condition are no more habitable as it puts at risk the lives of its occupants.
The Commissioner advised occupants of houses in such condition to value their lives and seek for shelter elsewhere saying the state is not ready to suffer loss of lives of its citizens.
Engr. Stephen Olumilola who was also on the monitoring team stated professionally that the house has failed structurally as it has cracked to its foundation.
While saying the structure cannot be salvaged and will soon collapse totally, he advised that the house be demolished and rebuilt.
He posited that the residents should vacate the building, as the rainy season which is approaching will aid the collapse of the house thereby trapping the residents.
