In a bid to curb building collapses and enhance residents’ well-being, the Lagos State Government has placed a restriction on construction activities to between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, made the announcement on Thursday while speaking in Alausa, Ikeja.
According to him, “The restriction order must be strictly adhered to by all those involved in building construction in the State, as relevant Government Agencies would enforce compliance.”
Olumide explained that the new directive is necessary to protect the environment and prevent avoidable disasters on construction sites, urging anyone who notices any violation to promptly report such cases.
While noting that exceptions may be considered, he stated, “However, concession to work outside these hours could be granted, subject to formal application that would be treated on its merits.”
This new move adds to the existing safety measures rolled out by the government following several building collapse incidents in the state.
In 2024, the tragic collapse of a two-storey building at Arowojobe Estate in Maryland claimed the lives of five construction workers. The incident prompted further action from the authorities.
Following the tragedy, the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbolahan Oki, declared a ban on workers, especially labourers, sleeping overnight at construction sites.
Oki, through a statement issued by the agency’s Director of Public Affairs, Olaoye Olusegun, said, “Henceforth, nobody should be found sleeping in any building under construction after the close of work, especially at night.
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“LASBCA officials will be inspecting construction sites across the state, especially at night, to ensure that nobody is sleeping inside any building under construction.”
He added, “Construction period in the state remains from 7 am to 7 pm Monday to Saturday excluding Sundays.
“Henceforth, any property developer or owners who engage workers to carry out construction work on Sundays and beyond 7 pm on Monday to Saturday will have his or her property sealed indefinitely.
“This directive becomes necessary to safeguard the building construction industry and ensure that buildings in the state are safe, secure, and fit for habilitation”, the statement said.
