Building Collapse Preventive Guild (BCPG) has called for more action against substandard buildings under construction in Ebute Metta and environs. This was with a view to saving the lives of citizens, following incidents of building collapse in Lagos Mainland.

The guild said the call became necessary after the loss of three lives during the collapse of a four-storey building, on Friday, December 22, at Lagos Street, Ebute Metta.

According to the guild, the structure was uninhabited and had been identified as weak by both the Lagos State Building Collapse Agency (LASBCA) and BCPG, two years ago, when a three-storey building (No 29) in the same compound collapsed on July 11, 2013.

Coordinator, BCPG Lagos Mainland Cell, Felix Chikwu, said: “Substandard buildings that are being constructed in Ebute Metta by developers will sooner or later collapse, endangering the lives of occupants, if no concrete steps are taken to get rid of these weak buildings. My predecessor and the former coordinator, Nike Lanre-Ladenegan, led BCPG members in Ebute Metta to the sites of many substandard buildings under construction, leading to several BCPG Short Message Service (SMS) broadcast in whistle-blowing.”He added: “An exercise that will ascertain structural integrity of these buildings should be conducted.”

Source: The Guardian