On Thursday, the Lagos government reiterated its resolve to demolish buildings that failed its integrity test.

Governor Babjide Sanwo-Olu reassured of the step as 14 buildings near the two that went up in flames at Dosunmu Market on Lagos Island on Tuesday caved in after a fire outbreak.

“A lot of residential apartments have been turned to warehouses. I am saying without any iota of doubt that more buildings will go down. I just finished the assessment of a very unfortunate, but preventable disaster.

“Access was denied to the first responder to the fire for a couple of hours. This fire started more than 48 hours ago and is still alive. At the last count we have about 14 houses that have been affected and more may go down after the extensive test.

“What I have seen here is what could have been prevented. We do not have a full report yet. So, I do not want to speculate. From the initial report, it was gross carelessness,” the Lagos governor said.

Mr Sanwo-Olu added that the Dosunmu Market would be closed indefinitely, but the government would assist those affected.

“We will bring down any property that does not conform to our rules and regulations of construction. We cannot allow anyone to put the lives and property of others and the environment at risk.

“We will support those affected by the fire so they can get back on their feet, however. There are more progressive things we ought to be doing than to be spending scarce resources on avoidable accidents,” the governor stated. 

(NAN)