LASMTL Raises Alarm Over Fake Government Officials Defrauding Land Developers

The General Manager, Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory (LASMTL), Dr. Abiodun Afolabi has warned all residents about fraudsters extorting money from owners and developers on construction sites by fraudulently parading themselves as State officials.

The warning, which was contained in a release issued on Tuesday by the agency, emphasised zero tolerance for all forms of impersonation LSMTL staff while expressing its determination to sanitise the built environment and ensure that materials utilised for building purposes stand the test of time.

Dr. Afolabi disclosed that the Agency has received numerous complaints that touts and criminally-minded individuals have been posing as government officials in a bid to extort developers and contractors, as well as innocent members of the public, under the guise of conducting illegal building tests.

He said, “The Agency has put up surveillance machinery to apprehend some of those behind the scene. Our trap has already caught three of the impostors, namely Mr. Steven Kayode, Mr. Adebowale Tosin and Mrs. Modupeola, last week Thursday at Igando in Alimosho Local Government Area, with their Lexus Jeep vehicle (Reg No. KSF 940 EF) impounded before they were all handed them over to the Police for interrogation and prosecution”.

While imploring all building owners and developers in the State to be careful and on the lookout for such dubious individuals, the General Manager reiterated that the State government will do everything within its power to eradicate the menace and restore sanity to the built environment.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat AkinbiIe-Yusuf has insisted that the government has not granted approval for the hosting of any entertainment show in the State, regardless of the nature or modification given to such shows or concerts.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Commissioner clarified that the records are being set straight to properly guide stakeholders in the industry, especially those in the entertainment and show business.

She advised those in the entertainment industry to only prepare their facilities and put necessary measures in place, pending when Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will approve the resumption of their operations.

Akinbile-Yusuf said, “I am saying it emphatically that there is no “drive-in-concert” or any show in that respect allowed in Lagos for now, we have not granted any approval for such. We just want those in this sector to register their facilities with the State Safety Commission in preparation for the ease of the lockdown presently on their operations.”

She maintained that entertainment activities can only thrive in a safe environment, stressing that where such safety cannot be guaranteed, there is no point organising any entertainment or musical concert.

Emphasising that the State government will not apply emotions to issues bordering on the safety of the residents, Akinbile-Yusuf urged those spreading the misleading information on shows and concerts to desist from increasing tension in the sector.

In her words, “Our position in the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is ‘no safety, no activity’. We hope that when the COVID-19 curve gets flattened, activities will resume to the sector.”

She called on the practitioners in the entertainment business to join hands with the State government as efforts are being reviewed daily to prioritise the protection of lives and property, and also ensure that business activities gradually kick-off.