The Lagos State Government yesterday rubbished claims by owners of the buildings demolished in Ikoyi that they were not duly served with contravention, removal and quit notices before the exercise was carried out.
Information and Strategy Commissioner, Steve Ayorinde, said they were all notified in advance and expressed dismay at what he called the flagrant disobedience of building regulations in the state.
He vowed that government would intensify efforts to rid the state of illegal structures.
Ayorinde, in a statement against the backdrop of recent demolition of some illegal structures in Ikoyi, said: “In our effort to maintain a sustainable, organised, liveable and friendly environment, the government will not renege on its declared stance of zero tolerance for structures and properties without development permit or approved building plans.”
According to him, the buildings in question were situated in an area originally designated as residential area, but the developers unilaterally and without recourse to the state government commenced development of industrial and commercial concerns in these locations thereby distorting the master plan of the area; causing environmental nuisance, traffic snarls and more importantly a security threat to the neighbourhood.
On the allegation that the buildings were not duly served with necessary contravention, stop work and removal notices, the commissioner said that the state government will not succumb to blackmail in any form.
“We have documentary evidence of service of all statutory notices, the buildings were also marked with the X red oxide to also call the attention of the owners to physical planning contraventions,” he said.
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