The Ogun State Government has explained the reasons behind the demolition of DATKEM Plaza, which is owned by Yeye Olufunke, the wife of the former two-term governor of the state, Sen. Gbenga Daniel.

The Star had reported that the Project Manager and Developer, Engr. Olusegun Lawal, said the mall, located on Folagbade Street in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, was demolished within three days of notification.

Reacting, the Ogun State Government, in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Engr. Olayiwola Abiodun, on Sunday, September 10, 2023, said the plaza was an illegal structure without an approved plan.

The structure, Abiodun stated, also contravened the state’s physical planning laws.

The permanent secretary said the structure violated the building codes of the state with numerous defects.

He said several efforts made by the state government to halt further development on site were ignored by the developers, adding that the government officials requested the structural engineer in charge of the building to avail the state of the structural equilibrium of the building, a request he said was ignored.

Abiodun stated that what the government did in partially pulling down the defective building was to be proactive.

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He challenged the owners of the structure to produce evidence of government approval in their possession, saying for a commercial building of that status, there must be parking space to accommodate vehicular traffic within and outside the facility for workers and visitors.

The permanent secretary added that the building lacked stage certification, which is usually issued at every stage of construction.

He noted that the owners were served the necessary notices, including abatement, contravention, stop work and demolition between May and October 2022, which he said were ignored.

Abiodun disclosed that DATKEM Enterprises Limited submitted application for an office building in 2009 with registration number CB/05/299/2009.

He added: “The proposal was for five floors with airspace of 3 metres at the right, 5m at the left, 5metres at the rear and a setback of 32.5516 metres to the middle of Ijebu Ode/Ibadan road, Ijebu-Ode.

“The Zonal Town Planning Office observed during routine monitoring that the construction on site did not conform with the plan granted as there was a deviation from the airspaces and setback.

“In addition, the building had been modified and enlarged with an additional storey building at the back thereby becoming over-density.

“In view of the above, the following actions were taken:

“Contravention Notice with Serial No. 0106983 was served on 24th May 2022.

“Stop Work Order with Serial No. 000623 was served on 24th May 2022.

“Another Stop Work Order with Serial No. 001065 was served on 22nd July 2022 when the first notice was ignored.

“Demolition Notice with Serial No. 0007549 was served on 11th October 2022.

“Notice to seal with Serial No. 000815 was served on 4th October 2022.”

The permanent secretary, however, said despite all the notices, the developer was recalcitrant and continued with the construction work.

Abidun reiterated the Ogun State Government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of the people of the state, adding that any defective buildings in any part of the state will be demolished to safeguard the lives of the people.

The Star