-Gov suspends LASBCA GM indefinitely
-Dpty Gov clarifies number of approved floors
The Lagos State Government is setting up an independent panel to probe the collapse of the 21-storey building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi.
Aside this, the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered the immediate suspension of the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Mr. Gbolahan Oki indefinitely.
According to a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, 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 read Its in part, “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.
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said the government will surely find out what went wrong and punish those indicted. The Governor, as a first step, has directed that the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Mr. Gbolahan Oki, an architect, be suspended from work immediately. The suspension is indefinite.
“More equipment and personnel have been deployed in the site to save more lives.
“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 2pm.
“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.”
Meanwhile as rescue operation continued at the site of collapsed building entered day two, the number of persons rescued alive have increased to nine while, 14 dead bodies have been evacuated so far.
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat who was at the scene of the incident on Tuesday while, briefing journalists on update of the rescue operation around 12 noon, confirmed that two out of the nine survivors have been discharged.
Hamzat who spoke on behalf of the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stated that the state government is hopeful that more people will be found alive, urging onlookers around the incident site to allow responders do their work effectively.
The Deputy-Governor dispelled the rumour that the initial approval for the building was 15 storeys, noting that what the government approved was actually twenty-one.
According to him, the construction site had earlier been sealed in July till November, to allow for structural adjustment by the developer, stating that there are procedures to be followed in demolishing a property for non-compliance
The Deputy-Governor also visited the Lagos Island General Hospital, to check on the survivors.
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