The Lagos State government is setting up an independent panel to probe the collapse of the 21-storey building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, just as the death toll reached 15 on Tuesday, with nine people rescued.
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.
The panel 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.
Sanwo-Olu orders indefinite suspension of Lagos Building Agency GM
Meanwhile, the governor, as a first step, has directed that the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Mr Gbolahan Oki, be suspended from work immediately. The suspension is indefinite.
More equipment and personnel have been deployed to 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, 15 others were brought out dead as of 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
Mr 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).
A help desk is to be set up at the site for people seeking information about their relatives who may have been involved in the incident. The media are hereby notified that the government will be releasing information whenever the need arises to avoid any sensational reporting of the unfortunate incident.
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