Three victims of the collapsed 22-story building on Gerald Road, Ikoyi, were rescued alive thanks to the combined efforts of the Lagos Rescue Unit (LRU), Lagos State Fire Service, and LASAMBUS, while rescue operations continued.
The cause of the collapse is still being investigated, and the General Managers of the Lagos State Building Control Agency and the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority were on the scene to make a summary assessment of the extent of damage to the surrounding structures, if any, on the spot.
Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, and other State officials, including the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, the Commissioner for Special Duty, Mr. Bamgbose-Martins, Special Adviser, Urban Development, Hon. Ganiyu Adele Ayuba, Special Adviser, GIS and Physical Planning, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning
Meanwhile, according to report, the collapsed building was sealed last year July 5 by Governor Sanwo-Olu a year ago to "prevent calamity"
"The government will not stand by and watch people act irresponsibly in the absence of order and accountability. Here, we're discussing people's lives. The state will no longer tolerate such behavior from anyone, regardless of their position."
Unfortunately, it appears that the building was later unsealed, and construction continued until today, November 1, at around 1:30 p.m., when it collapsed.
Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, and other State officials, including the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, the Commissioner for Special Duty, Mr. Bamgbose-Martins, Special Adviser, Urban Development, Hon. Ganiyu Adele Ayuba, Special Adviser, GIS and Physical Planning, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning
Meanwhile, according to report, the collapsed building was sealed last year July 5 by Governor Sanwo-Olu a year ago to "prevent calamity"
According to the source: "It is unheard of for the owners of the Ikoyi project in question to embark on such a capital-intensive project without first obtaining the necessary approvals.
"The days of the government's indifference when people break the law are long gone. The project's closure is the result of the law taking its course.
"In that the state ministry of Land and Physical Planning had been calling on them to without paying attention to what the ministry had been calling on them to, the owners of this project have shown themselves to be defiant and obstinate."
"It is not in the state's interest to halt economically viable projects like the one on Gerrard Road in Ikoyi, but it is the government's responsibility to ensure that all rules and regulations governing such structures are strictly followed."
"What the government has done is put a stop to new construction while it assesses and evaluates how closely the builders adhered to the building code." From there, the state will take over.
"The government will not stand by and watch people act irresponsibly in the absence of order and accountability. Here, we're discussing people's lives. The state will no longer tolerate such behavior from anyone, regardless of their position."
Unfortunately, it appears that the building was later unsealed, and construction continued until today, November 1, at around 1:30 p.m., when it collapsed.
