The Lagos State Government says it has directed prompt investigations to unravel the cause of the building collapse at 2/4 Oye Sonuga Street, Palmgroove, Mushin Local Government on Friday
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Omotayo Bamgbose-Martins, said this at the site.
He said the incident, which occurred at midday was “the partial collapse of a four-floor building that is over forty years old”.
Bamgbose-Martins, according to a statement by Mr. Mukaila Sanusi, spokesman of the ministry, said that while investigations were on, he had directed that the adjoining building be demolished for safety reasons to avert danger.
The Commissioner said that the Lagos State Building Control Agency and the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory had been authorized to begin work to unravel the cause of the collapse.
He said the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency had since begun rescue operations and efforts were on to save anyone trapped in the rubbles. Lagos has reported recurring cases of building collapse, with Friday’s incident coming on the heels of that of a seven-story building on Oba Idowu Oniru Street, Lekki, on September 4.
The building, which was under construction, caved in leading to the death of no fewer than five persons.
The former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, resigned from his appointment a day after the incident.
Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, Commissioner for Information and Strategy who disclosed Salako’s resignation in Ikeja, did not state the reason for his resignation.
Source: Punch