Reasons Lagos State Want to Demolish Gbagada Catholic Church
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to demolish the Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Gbagada due to structural integrity issues and visible signs of distress.
Dr. Olajide Babatunde, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Enterprise Geographical Information System (eGIS), stated that the church building has failed structural integrity tests, necessitating its removal.
During a routine inspection of the church, which had already been sealed by the State Building Control Agency, Dr. Babatunde emphasized the urgency of the demolition to prevent potential property damage and loss of life. He criticized the church for not adhering to agreements made with the state.
“An agreement was reached with the church management to demolish the building and maintain it at ground level due to the inadequate foundation and poor soil conditions. Unfortunately, the church has not complied,” Dr. Babatunde said. He further noted that tests, including the Non-Destructive Test (NDT) and seismic tests, confirmed that the building could not be safely renovated.
Dr. Babatunde warned that no activities should take place inside the church, and no one should be found inside the building. He urged all property owners in the state to conduct structural tests on their buildings every five years to ensure they are fit for habitation, in accordance with state regulations.
He also advised those renting properties to ensure the properties have all necessary approvals, including the Certificate of Completion and Fitness for Habitation issued by LASBCA, before signing tenancy agreements.
The Special Adviser reaffirmed the state’s commitment to protecting lives and properties through continuous monitoring and enforcement against illegal, distressed, and non-compliant structures. He encouraged Lagosians to report any illegal activities to the State Building Control Agency’s offices for appropriate action.
