The Kwara State Government has ordered the immediate demolition of a dilapidated two-storey building in the Oke-Suna area of Ilorin East Local Government Area after declaring it structurally unsafe and a threat to lives and property.

The government, through the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency, also sealed the building following complaints from residents that it was at risk of imminent collapse.

According to a statement issued on Monday by KWEPA’s Press Secretary, Aliyu Amode, the enforcement action followed reports from members of the community, prompting the agency to conduct an immediate inspection to avert a potential disaster.

During the inspection, an elderly resident told KWEPA officials that members of the community had repeatedly alerted the property’s owner to the deteriorating condition of the building.

The resident said the owner allegedly ignored several warnings and appeals to carry out remedial work despite the danger posed by the structure.

Reacting to the findings, the General Manager of KWEPA, Jide Aina, described the building as a serious threat to public safety and directed the owner to begin its immediate demolition.

“The condition of the building constitutes a grave danger to public safety. The owner is hereby directed to commence its immediate demolition,” Aina said.

He warned that the state government would intervene if the owner failed to comply with the directive.

“Failure to comply with this directive will leave the Kwara State Government with no option but to demolish the structure in the interest of protecting lives and property,” he said.

Aina reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting residents through proactive environmental enforcement and strict compliance with safety regulations.

“The Kwara State Government remains committed to safeguarding residents through proactive environmental enforcement, strict compliance with safety regulations, and the timely removal of environmental hazards capable of causing avoidable tragedies.

“We encourage residents across the state to continue supporting the government’s efforts by promptly reporting abandoned buildings, distressed structures, environmental nuisances and other environmental hazards to KWEPA for swift intervention,” he added. (PUNCH)

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