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Sanwo-Olu suspends LASBCA GM in aftermath of Ikoyi building collapse
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday ordered the indefinite suspension of the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Mr. Gbolahan Oki, over the collapse of a 21-storey building in the Ikoyi area of the state.
At least 14 people have been confirmed dead and many others still trapped under the debris of the building that came down on Monday afternoon in Gerard Road, Ikoyi.
The state’ Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, who disclosed this in a statement, said the governor would set up an independent panel to probe the collapse of the building.
He said: “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.
“It 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.
READ ALSO: Owner of Ikoyi collapsed building got approval for 15 floors but built 21 – Lagos govt
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said the 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.
“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 2:00 p.m.
“Mr. Sanwo-Olu thanks 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).”
The commissioner also revealed that a help desk would be set up for people seeking information about their relations, saying the government would release information whenever the need arises to avoid any sensational reporting of the unfortunate incident.
By Ijeoma Ilekanachi
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