Following the collapse of a seven-storey building in Lekki, Lagos, the state government has ordered the arrest of the developer and building professionals.
Two bodies have been pulled out from the rubble after the building collapsed on Sunday.
A statement by the spokesperson, Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mukaila Sanusi, said the building under construction was located at Oba Abiodun Oniru road, Iru/Victoria Island area.
The commissioner in the ministry, Idris Salako, gave the order for the arrest during his visit to the collapsed building site.
Salako said that the developer and professionals were liable because they did not regard the planning laws of the state.
According to him, this is having embarked on construction without a valid planning permit and ignoring official warnings against continuing the building works.
He said that under no circumstances should anyone construe the filing of application for permit through the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority as a ticket to start construction.
He said: “There must be a valid planning permit from the aforementioned agency in addition to letter of authorisation and stage inspection at every stage and certification by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
“This will ensure that construction works are carried out in conformity with the approval granted.”
The commissioner, however, said that the police had started a manhunt for the developer, architects, builders and engineers involved in the project while the government is investigating the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
Salako urged Lagos residents to join hands with the government to maintain vigilance in the building sector by reporting any illegal developments in their vicinity.
He added that infractions should be reported through any ministry or state government communication channels, particularly the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development APP and LASBCA.
