The Lagos State Government has formally restricted working hours on building construction sites across the state to between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday through Saturday. This directive aims to protect the environment, prevent building collapses, and enhance social well-being.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, announced the new regulation in Alausa on Thursday. He emphasized that the restriction must be “strictly adhered to by all those involved in building construction,” with relevant government agencies tasked with enforcing compliance.

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Olumide clarified that exceptions to these hours could be granted, but only “subject to formal application that would be treated on its merits.” He urged residents to report any construction sites found violating the order.

The move comes as part of the state’s ongoing efforts to regulate the construction sector.

In 2024, following the collapse of a two-storey building in Arowojobe Estate, Maryland, which resulted in five fatalities, the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbolahan Oki, issued a ban on construction workers sleeping at sites.

At that time, Oki’s directive, communicated through LASBCA’s Director of Public Affairs Unit, Olaoye Olusegun, stated: “Henceforth, nobody should be found sleeping in any building under construction after the close of work, especially at night.” The previous directive had also set construction hours from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday to Saturday.

The 2024 statement further warned that “any property developer or owners who engage workers to carry out construction work on Sundays and beyond 7 pm on Monday to Saturday will have his or her property sealed indefinitely.”

Both directives underscore the government’s commitment to ensuring “that buildings in the state are safe, secure, and fit for habitation.”