The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has suspended Gbolahan Oki, the general manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) indefinitely over the 21-storey building that collapsed in Lagos on Monday at Gerard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu has said the government will surely find out what went wrong and punish those indicted.
This was made known in a statement signed by Gbenga Omotoso, Commissioner for Information and Strategy.
The statement stated that the state is setting up an independent panel to probe the collapse of the 21-storey building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi.
According to the statement, 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.
Read also: UPDATED: 14 die, 9 rescued at Lagos 21-storey building collapse
More equipment and personnel have been deployed to 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.
The governor thanked 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 relatives who may have been involved in the incident.
Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, deputy governor, was at the site on Tuesday to encourage rescuers and comfort relations of those trapped in the rubble.
Hamzat left the site for the Lagos Island General Hospital to see the survivors.
“The government 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, is important for the entire Gerrard Road and adjoining areas,” according to the statement.
“We wish to state that there will be no cover-up in the search for the truth in this incident. If anybody is found to have been indicted, he or she will face the law.”
“It is important to restate that all developers and property owners are required to adhere strictly to all Building Codes and Planning Regulations to ensure the safety of lives and property,” the statement further stated.
“Those who ignore such regulations, breaking seals and defying enforcement, will surely be prosecuted,” it added.
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