Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Tuesday ordered the seal-off of the Lekki Gardens following the collapse of a five-story building within the site on March 8.

Ambode announced the decision during a news conference at the Lagos House, Alausa shortly after an inspection tour of the site at Ikusenla Road, Ikate-Elegushi in Lekki area of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 34 people died in the building collapse.

Ambode said an integrity test would be done on all other buildings constructed by the developer in the state, whether occupied or not, to ascertain their structural stability.

“The developer will pay the cost of the tests.

“Any building found to be defective will be demolished; for those that pass the integrity test, the developer will pay a penalty for any over-development on the site.”

Ambode said that the State Government also intended to carry out an audit of all structures to ascertain those with planning approval or without, and evaluate the physical development against the approved building plans.

He said that the government would do everything within its powers to check the excesses of developers who flout its regulations.

Ambode assured that efficiency and confidence would be restored in the building control and supervision process.

He said that to this end, a five-man committee had been established to examine the urban and regional planning law of the state.

Ambode said that the committee was expected to examine the operations of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and make recommendations for changes that would ensure effective service delivery, among others.

According to him, the committee will submit its report in four weeks.

He said that the state was open to business for those who would comply with the state laws and regulations in order to prosper.

“Our main concern is to continue to improve on the ease of doing business and uphold the rule of law at all times.

“Those who choose non-compliance and defiance will henceforth face the full weight of the law without fear or favour.”

Earlier, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Wasiu Anifowoshe advised residents in the estate to vacate the buildings to allow the government to carry out integrity test on them. (NAN)

•Photo shows Gov. Ambode.

Update news