The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to quality education infrastructure with plans to construct new classroom blocks at Mainland Senior High School, Fadeyi, replacing two recently demolished buildings.
The Chairman, Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools (SCRPS), Mr. Hakeem Smith, disclosed this during a routine inspection visit to the school, noting that the initiative aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s resolve to provide safe and conducive learning environments across public schools in the state.
Smith explained that the demolished structures were identified as distressed following professional assessments, stressing that the safety of students and staff informed the government’s swift intervention.
“The Sanwo-Olu administration places a premium on the safety of our pupils. No child should be subjected to learning in an unsafe environment,” he said.
“Upon receiving credible reports, the government acted promptly to avert any potential disaster.”
He revealed that the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABCA) carried out the demolition after a distress alert was raised by the paramount ruler of Igbobi-Sabe, Oba Owolabi Adeniyi, alongside the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), a body of built environment professionals.
According to Smith, integrity tests conducted by the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory (LSMTL) on the school’s structures showed that only one of the three existing buildings met safety standards.
“The affected buildings were part of the old infrastructure predating the re-inauguration of SCRPS in 2019. The integrity test confirmed that only one structure was fit for continued use,” he noted.
“This underscores the importance of regular structural audits in our public schools.”
He added that the government had earlier delivered an I-shaped 18-classroom block with 30 toilet facilities within the school premises, demonstrating its sustained investment in education infrastructure.
Looking ahead, Smith assured that the replacement project would deliver modern classroom blocks that meet current safety and architectural standards.
“What we are building now are not just replacements, but improved, ultra-modern learning facilities that reflect global best practices,” he said.
The SCRPS Chairman also commended the BCPG for its vigilance and urged the body to intensify its monitoring efforts across the state.
“We encourage the BCPG to expand its coverage beyond Yaba and continue its voluntary surveillance of public buildings. Government remains open to collaboration that enhances public safety,” he added.
In his remarks, the Coordinator of BCPG, Yaba Cell, Engr. Adebayo Ogunrinde, reiterated the group’s commitment to preventing building collapse through proactive monitoring and partnership with the government.
“Our mandate is to identify and report distressed structures, especially in public spaces, to prevent avoidable tragedies. We will continue to support government efforts in ensuring safety across the state,” he said.
Also speaking, the paramount ruler of Igbobi-Sabe, Oba Owolabi Adeniyi, lauded the state government for its prompt response and decisive action.
“I commend Governor Sanwo-Olu for listening to the concerns of the community and acting swiftly. This intervention has undoubtedly averted a potential disaster,” the monarch said.
“We urge the government to sustain strict monitoring and supervision of projects to ensure quality delivery.”
The development highlights the state government’s proactive approach to infrastructure renewal and its broader commitment to safeguarding lives while improving the quality of education in Lagos public schools.
