By Omolara Otuyemi
The increasing incidence of abandoned structures with their associated risks is an issue of utmost concern across the country. Anywhere you go in the country, you are most likely to see old rickety buildings that have become a blight to environmental aesthetics and safety. In Lagos State, for instance, the menace of abandoned buildings has become a growing concern.
Numerous factors contribute to this rather ugly trend. These range from dilapidation and natural disasters to family disputes, incomplete projects, and economic downturns. Other factors include court orders related to bankruptcy, money laundering, and family disputes.
In recent times, fluctuating material costs have made it increasingly difficult for developers to complete construction, resulting in a proliferation of unfinished structures scattered across the city.
No doubt, abandoned buildings pose significant risks to urban safety and economic development. The dangers of the trend include pollution, health problems, financial loss, obscenity, crime, property value decline, development control problems, wastage of resources, dangerous reptiles, accidents, and vagrancy among others.
Squatters like to live in abandoned buildings and are known for leaving a lot of their waste behind, with the owner covering the cost of waste removal services. This is a big health hazard for people living around the area, especially children.
In Lagos, many abandoned buildings have become hideouts for criminal activities, including drug trafficking and illegal arms possession. In particular, areas along major highways, such as the Otedola Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, have seen an increase in crime, open defecation, and harassment of residents, creating a sense of fear and insecurity.
The presence of these dilapidated structures can also negatively impact property values in surrounding neighborhoods, diminishing residents’ investments and hindering overall economic growth.
Residents of areas with abandoned buildings also face huge risks due to the presence of some miscreants occupying these abandoned structures. This not only undermines public safety but also fosters a sense of fear amongst residents who sometimes are prone to harassment, burglary, and assault.
Consequently, the dominance of safety concerns has its side effect on real estate development or economic growth. Most times the prevalence of this decadence diminishes property values in surrounding areas, affecting residents’ investments in their homes.
Recognizing the challenges posed by abandoned buildings, the Lagos State government has begun implementing measures to address the issue. A Task Force, comprising representatives from urban planning, security, and Local Governments’ agencies has been established to identify and mitigate risks associated with these structures.
The Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA) is actively involved in revitalizing areas with abandoned buildings and upgrading blighted communities. Legislative reforms are also being proposed to streamline construction permits, enforce timelines, and impose penalties for violations of building codes, encouraging developers to complete their projects or face consequences for inaction.
Furthermore, the government has proposed legislative reforms aimed at implementing stricter measures to streamline the permit process, enforce specific construction timelines, and impose stricter penalties for violations of building codes and construction timelines. By ensuring that developers adhere to stricter timelines and face penalties for non-compliance, the government hopes to reduce the number of abandoned projects.
This approach is intended to implore developers and encourage them to either complete their buildings or face the consequences of their inaction. The path to resolving the issue of abandoned buildings in Lagos is not without challenges. Many building owners are unreachable, having disappeared in between projects or after completion of it. This situation makes it difficult for the government to trace them or engage with them as regards efforts to aid continuous construction or penalty to defaulters.
Contrary to the opinions of the vast majority of the people that the government engages in undue demolition of structures, it must be stressed that the government incurs a lot of financial burden to demolish these structures. The money that ought to be spent on infrastructural development is often diverted to addressing the menace of abandoned buildings, just to promote public safety.
In addressing the challenge associated with abandoned buildings, the need for synergy amongst urban planning agencies is pivotal. Lack of clear communication between these entities can result in disjointed efforts that fail to address the issues effectively.
Community involvement also goes a long way in addressing this issue. Engaging local communities and conversing about abandoned buildings and their consequences on development will gear residents to become actively involved in revitalizing their environment.
Owners and developers of uncompleted or existing buildings should always ensure their properties are in proper environmental, safe, and sanitation conditions. This is for the common good of all because abandoned buildings are a threat to our collective safety and security.
Additionally, it is highly prejudicial to always allow the government to assume roles that can be shared amongst other partners. There is a need to establish public-private partnerships to create fresh interest in urban development.
Abandoned projects should either be completed or converted to other uses for diverse economic needs.
If it is not already in place, a law should be promulgated to transfer ownership of abandoned projects to the government. This could go a long way in curbing the ugly trend of abandoned buildings. Equally, taxes could be levied on abandoned buildings as a way to discourage the trend.
As Lagos continues its evolution into a global city, addressing the problem of abandoned buildings is crucial. Therefore, the government must prioritize the safety and satisfaction of residents while fostering a vibrant urban environment.
By embracing collective action and a shared vision, Lagos can work toward a future free from the perils of abandoned structures, creating a safer and more prosperous city for generations to come.
But this can only be achieved via collective efforts. Mostly, for the safety and security of everyone in the State, the issue of abandoned buildings must be tackled as a societal menace. Those who live around areas where such buildings are located should promptly report observed illegal activities within and around such buildings to the appropriate authorities.
Effective security is crucial to the attainment of a prosperous society. Every segment of the society must support the government and all security agencies to enhance public safety in the state. Effective public security cannot be obtained without the active involvement, participation, and support of every section of society because security is the responsibility of all.
Otuyemi is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.
