Sanwo-Olu Orders Immediate Probe Of Ikoyi Building Collapse

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has ordered an immediate probe of the collapse of a 21-storey building in Ikoyi, Lagos State.

Sanwo-Olu, in a statement on Monday signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the report of the probe would be made public in due course.

The governor, however, expressed sadness over the death of some people in the building collapse, while calling for calm over the incident.

According to Sanwo-Olu, the state government has arrested the owner of the collapsed building and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

He stated that the Lagos Rescue Unit (LRU), Lagos State Fire Service and Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS) were already on the site, battling to save the lives of those under the rubbles.

Part of the statement reads: “With the combined efforts of the Lagos Rescue Unit (LRU), Lagos State Fire Service and LASAMBUS, not less than three victims of the collapsed 22-storey building on Gerald Road, Ikoyi were rescued, while rescue operations continued.

“However, investigations have commenced as to the cause of the collapse, while the General Managers of the Lagos State Building Control Agency and the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority were on ground to make a summary assessment on the spot of the extent of damage to the surrounding structures if any.”

Earlier, the General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbolahan Oki, confirmed that the owner of the building has been arrested and would be prosecuted.

Oki said the owner of the property was arrested sometime last year over a breach of town planning rules.

The LASBCA boss noted that the owner of the building was given the approval to construct only 15 floors, but decided to construct 21 floors.

“He got approval for a 15-storey building and he exceeded his limit. I am on ground here and the materials he used are so inferior and terrible. The materials he used, the reinforcement, are so terrible. He got approval for 15 floors but built 21,” he said.