The Lagos State Government has announced plans to demolish the Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Gbagada due to structural failure.
The government revealed that the church building failed structural integrity tests and showed visible signs of distress. Dr. Olajide Babatunde, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Enterprise Geographical Information System (eGIS), disclosed this during a routine inspection of the church building.
The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) had already sealed the church building to ensure compliance with safety agreements. Babatunde expressed concern over the church’s non-compliance with these agreements and stated that the state had no choice but to proceed with the controlled demolition to prevent potential loss of life and property.
Babatunde explained: “An agreement has been reached with the management of the church to demolish the building and leave it at ground level because the foundation cannot support the current load, and the soil condition is poor. Unfortunately, the church has not complied with this agreement.”
He further emphasized that renovation is not an option because the Non-Destructive Test (NDT), seismic test, and other tests indicated that the building is unsafe.
The Special Adviser warned that no activities should be held inside the church auditorium and that no one should be found inside the building.
Babatunde urged property owners in Lagos to conduct structural tests on their buildings every five years to ensure they are safe for habitation, as required by state building regulations. He also advised tenants to verify that properties have all necessary approvals, including the Certificate of Completion and Fitness for Habitation from LASBCA, before signing rental agreements.
Reiterating the state’s commitment to safeguarding lives and properties through regular monitoring and enforcement, Babatunde encouraged Lagosians to report any illegal, distressed, or non-compliant structures to any of the 57 LASBCA offices across the state for appropriate action.
