The Lagos State Government has concluded arrangement to set up an independent panel to probe the collapse of the 21-storey building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, with members to be drawn from the Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA), Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) and other professional bodies.
Penpushing reports that, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho made this known in a statement on Tuesday, explaining that, the panel will independently investigate the remote and immediate causes of the incident and make recommendations on how to prevent future occurrence.
The statement added that, the investigation is not part of the internal probe already being conducted by the government, assuring that 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’, Omotosho said.
‘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’, he added.
The statement said 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).
Penpushing also reports that, the commissioner disclosed that, 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 statement gave assurance and notified the media that the government will be releasing information whenever the need arises to avoid any sensational reporting of the unfortunate incident.
Penpushing reports that, Omotosho said the Deputy Governor, was at the site to encourage rescuers and comfort relations of those trapped in the rubble, and thereafter 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. This test, particularly the borehole acidic level, is important for the entire Gerrard Road and adjoining areas’, he emphasised.
Penpushing also reports that, the government said there will be no cover-up in the search for the truth in this incident, stressing that 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. Those who ignore such regulations, breaking seals and defying enforcement, will surely be prosecuted’.
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