Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has suspended the general manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) Gbolahan Oki indefinitely with immediate effect.
The governor’s action followed the collapse of a 21-storey building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi.
A statement on Tuesday by the commissioner for information and strategy Gbenga Omotoso said the governor will set up an independent panel to probe the incident.
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 read.
The government said that as of 2pm Tuesday 14 bodies were recovered from the rubble while nine persons – all men – were pulled out alive and are receiving treatment.
Sanwo-Olu 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).
“The Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, was today at the site to encourage rescuers and comfort relations of those trapped in the rubble. Dr. 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.
“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,” the statement added.
Sanwo-Olu urged all developers and property owners to adhere strictly to all building codes and planning regulations to ensure the safety of lives and property, adding that offenders will be prosecuted.
