26th July, 2011
In order to avoid being killed, the majority of residents of a three-storey building at 240, Herbert Macaulay Way, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria have deserted the building.
The building has physical signs of being defective.
P.M.NEWS learnt that the tenants have been given eviction notice by the officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning.
When our correspondent visited the building this morning, some traders continued their normal business activities on the ground floor. About 12 shops are located on the ground floor.
One of the traders in the shops who did not want his name mentioned said those who moved out of the building did so voluntarily and not because it was defective.
He added that two occupants went out of the flats on the second and third floors but stated that the landlord was planning to let out one of the flats and use the other one by himself.
Some offices at the second and third floors of the building are still being occupied as at this morning.
It was learnt that at least five tenants have so far moved out of the building.
One of the neighbours simply called Suleiman told P.M.NEWS that one of the tenants who moved out confided in him that he was packing out because the occupants noticed that the house was shaking and may collapse any moment from now. He added that government officials have visited the house and served them eviction notice.
At the Lagos State Physical Planning Authority, Yaba office, an official told P.M.NEWS that when a team from the office visited the house, and discovered that it was shaking and could sink anytime the occupants were asked to pack out immediately.
The official said all the occupants were advised to vacate the building but some people decided to reside there at the risk of their lives.
When contacted this morning, a source in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development at Alausa said she was not aware of the building on the verge of collapse.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning, Olutoyin Ayinde, said he was not aware of the existence of such a defective building, adding that he will send field officers to inspect it immediately.
—Paul Sanusi