- Sanwo-Olu livid over collapsed Ikoyi building
By Emma Ogbuehi
Heads are beginning to roll over the 21-storey building that collapsed on Gerrard Road, in the posh neighbourhood of Ikoyi on Monday.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had vowed to find out what went wrong and punish anyone found culpable for the tragedy that has so far claimed at least 10 lives.
And just as he threatened, on Tuesday, Sanwo-Olu suspended the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbolahan Oki.
A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the State Government will set up an independent panel to probe the collapse of the building.
Members of the panel will be drawn from the Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA), Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) and other professional bodies.
“It will independently investigate the remote and immediate causes of the incident and make recommendations on how to prevent future occurrence. The investigation is not part of the internal probe already being conducted by the government,” the statement said.
The statement said more equipment and personnel have been deployed in the site to save more lives.
He said: “Nine persons – all men – have been pulled out of the rubble alive. They have been taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, 14 others were brought out dead – as at 2 pm.
READ ALSO: LASEMA confirms Lagos building collapse
“Mr. Sanwo-Olu thanks all first responders and those who have joined the rescue efforts, including construction giants Julius Berger, Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
“A help desk is to be set up at the site for people seeking information about their relations who may have been involved in the incident.
“The media are hereby notified that the government will be releasing information whenever the need arises to avoid any sensational reporting of the unfortunate incident.”
The government, he said, will embark on further foundation and borehole acidic level tests to ascertain the impact on the collapsed building.
These tests, particularly the borehole acidic level, are important for the entire Gerrard Road and adjoining areas, Sanwo-Olu further said through the statement.
