- By Kamil Opeyemi
The government of Ogun state, has been accused of demolishing a multi-billion plaza said to be owned by the wife of former Governor of Ogun state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Mrs. Olufunke Daniel.
A message circulating on the matter which NPO Reports obtained said a part of the plaza, located on Folagbade Street, Ijebu Ode, Ogun state, was demolished at about 1am in the wee hours of Sunday.
But attempts to speak with the government has not produced any result as the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Lekan Sani, promised to get back to the NPO Reports.
The statement being circulated reads thus:
1. The 5 story DATKEM Plaza owned by Her Exc Yeye Olufunke Daniel is an Iconic, solid structure with full approval whose construction started in 2009 and scheduled for commissioning at the end of this month of September.
2. Ground floor and mezzanine is a Banking hall fully fitted with Bank Trap doors, and CHUBB Strong Room.
Kone Elevator installed by Kresta Laurel Ltd
About 80 Brand new Split Airconditioners just completely installed by Holomicool Nig Ltd
150kVA Generator set and transformer in place with
Fire Fighting System installed by Flory Ltd.
External cladding being completed by Vertex Nig Ltd
Building Supervision: Engr. A Lawal & Engr Ibraheem Shonde and others, all qualified and certified engineers.
There are no structural or quality issues.
Reasons adduced by the Government are:
1. Not enough parking space (front of Building is Folagbade str.
Sided by two (2) undeveloped streets which is being prepared by the Developers to be tarred to support parking while the empty piece of land at the back is being negotiated for lease to complement car parking.
2. Inadequate Muster Point: Muster point is any space outside the building where people can gather in case of fire or emergency. There is ample space around the building that can be used as Muster Point.
3. Inadequate Airspace. This is a new one. But there is enough airspace as there is no single adjoining building around the 4 sides of the building.
There is also no concrete fence but only metal grills to ensure proper airflow.
It must be noted that there are other buildings with the vicinity that does not even come close in terms of compliance on safety matters.
All these information are known by the relevant personnel of Government in ongoing discussions.
4. Notice of demolition by government: 3 days
5. Demolition started 3am Sunday 10 September, 2023 and it is ongoing as we prepare this preliminary report.
Building cost is around N1b.
Number of Nigerians working on site: Approx 100
There are no single structural defects on the building and ALL relevant and necessary government approvals have been obtained.
The third floor of the building is to house the Ogun East Senatorial Office.
Attempts to get further details from Engr Olusegun Lawal, who is said to be the Project Engineer and Developer has not produced result as he was yet to respond to messages sent to him at press time.
More details later…