5 BANKS, 80 OTHER BUILDINGS SHUT BY LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT
Five Banks and about eighty buildings have been shut by the Lagos State Government on Tuesday along Allen Avenue, Ikeja area over alleged illegal conversion.
Banks affected are Zenith, Sterling, Unity, Access and Uba [United Bank Of Africa]
Among buildings shut are, Tantalizer, Adebowale Electronics, Panasonic and several other buildings used for commercial purposes.
The operation was led by the Secretary, Lagos State Building Control Agency [LASBCA], Mr. Tayo Fakolujo, and a Director in the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority [LASPPPA], Kayode Daramola.
Customers and Bank officials at Zenith Bank were driven out, while Unity Bank was sealed before it opened for business.
The Government said the affected buildings got approval for residential building but were later converted for commercial purposes without government approval.
According to the General Manager, LASBCA, Lekan Shodeinde, the affected buildings had been issued notices over a month ago to regularize their documents and get commercial approval, but ignored the call.
In his statement he said, “LASBCA is carrying out an audit on buildings in Lagos State to ensure safety. The government had given a six month grace for people who did not have permits before erecting their structures to regularize in order to avoid paying the penalties.
“The owners of buildings on Allen Avenue did not come forward to regularize their papers, hence the need to enforce the Law”.
SOURCE – PUNCH NEWS
