The Federal Government, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), have explained why the 23-storey Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building on Martins Street, Lagos Island, gutted by fire on Christmas Eve, has not yet been demolished, despite its compromised structural integrity and the threat it poses to the public.
The agencies said the demolition requires meticulous planning and strict adherence to safety protocols, emphasizing that the exercise must be conducted in a controlled and safe manner, without endangering nearby residents, workers, or surrounding infrastructure.
Both NEMA and LASEMA stressed that the operation will commence only after all safety measures are fully in place, including public protection, environmental safeguards, and technical compliance, as part of efforts to prioritize public safety and minimize risks.
The disclosure followed a meeting held on Wednesday under the directive of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu that the demolition be carried out with technical expertise and full stakeholder involvement.
The NEMA team was led by the Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Bature Usman, while the session was chaired by the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Femi Oke-Osayintolu.
Key focus areas discussed during the meeting included responder safety, information management, public protection, and environmental safeguards.
It was agreed that demolition will proceed only after all security, medical, communication, and environmental safety measures are fully implemented, with public safety remaining the top priority.
Meanwhile, NEMA urged members of the public to rely solely on verified information from official sources, assuring that timely updates and relevant instructions regarding the demolition will be provided as the operation progresses.
