- Pix above(l-r): Gov Dapo Abiodun, the demolished plaza and Sen. Gbenga Daniel
Political animosity took a turn for the worse in Ijebu Ode downtown of Ogun State, on Sunday, September 10, when Gov Dapo Abiodun’s Ogun state government reportedly demolished a five-storey DATKEM plaza in Ijebu Ode, owned by his predecessor, Otunba Gbenga Daniels and his wife, Yeye Olufunke Daniels.
Recall that both Gov Abiodun and Gbenga Daniels have not been seeing eye-to-eye in recent years over political control of the state, especially since Abiodun became governor of the state, in addition to when Daniels joined All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest and win the Ogun East Senatorial seat in the National Assembly, making a force to reckon with in APC in the state, where Abiodun already holds sway.
It was gathered that the mall, located on Folagbade Street in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, was demolished within three days of notification.
Confirming the demolition, Sunday, September 10, in a statement, the Project Manager and developer, Olusegun Lawal, said the plaza is an iconic, solid structure with full approval, which construction started in 2009 and was scheduled for commissioning at the end of September.
He said the ground floor and mezzanine is a banking hall fully fitted with bank trap doors, and CHUBB strong room, adding that it had a Kone elevator installed by Kresta Laurel Limited, another company owned by Senator Daniel.
The Project Manager said about 80 brand new split air-conditioners just completely installed by Holomicool Nigeria Limited were also destroyed alongside the building with a 150 KVA generator set and transformer.
A firefighting system installed by Flory Limited and external cladding being completed by Vertex Nigeria Limited also went down.
Speaking on the reasons adduced by the state government for the demolition, Lawal said: “Not enough parking space (front of Building is Folagbade Street, 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.
He noted: “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 in the vicinity that do not even come close in terms of compliance on safety matters.
“All this information are known by the relevant personnel of Government in ongoing discussions. for Notice of Demolition by government: 3 days
“5. Demolition started at 3 am Sunday, 10 September, 2023 and it is ongoing as we prepare this preliminary report. Building cost is around N1b,” he informed.
Lawal further informed that the notice of demolition was just three days, adding that the bulldozers of the government moved in at 3 a.m. on Sunday and were still working at the time he issued the statement.
He put the cost of the building at N1 billion, with about 100 workmen, who are Nigerians, on the site.
Lawal added that the third floor of the plaza was to house the Ogun East Senatorial District office of Otunba Daniel, adding: “There are no single structural defects on the building and ALL relevant and necessary government approvals have been obtained.”(agency)/SHARE THIS
Tags: Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Yeye Olufunke Daniel, Gov Dapo Abiodun
