Gbolahan Oki, general manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), has disclosed that the owner of the collapsed 21-storey building in Ikoyi, was given approval to construct only 15 floors.
Oki told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that the owner of the property has been arrested and would face the law because people have died in the disaster.
“He got an approval for a 15-storey building and he exceeded his limit. I am on ground here and the materials he used are so inferior and terrible.”
“The materials he used, the reinforcement, are so terrible. He got approval for 15 floors but built 21.
“I think he has been locked down. He has been arrested before now,” he said.
The GM said four people were rescued alive and three people died, adding that rescue efforts were still ongoing.
“We are still here and have four machines working as at this moment,” he said.
At least 50 people are reportedly trapped under the rubble after the building collapsed.
The building, located at 20, Gerrard Road, collapsed at about 3p.m. on Monday.
Why we withdrew further services —Construction company
Meanwhile, a letter has shown that Prowess Engineering Limited, the company that began the construction of the building which collapsed in Ikoyi, Lagos on Monday withdrew from the project in February 2020.
The company withdrew its services on grounds that it no longer shared the same vision with its client believed to be Fourscore Heights Limited as addressed in the letter.
Prowess Engineering Limited, which had constructed two other buildings for its client, said it couldn’t guarantee the integrity of the third (collapsed building) from anything above the fourth floor.
The letter titled, ‘Re: Proposed Gerrard Terraces For Fourscore Limited,’ was signed by the company’s managing director, Muritala Olawale who confirmed its veracity to our Correspondent.
It read, “This letter is to formally inform you of the withdraw of our structural consultancy service from the above named project. We arrived at this decision due to the fact that we no longer share the same vision with you as our client in terms of how the project is being executed.
“We can guarantee the integrity of the first two buildings and also work done up to the fourth floor of the third building supervised by us provided specifications have been met in terms of the required concrete strength. This we do not have control over as we do not have the concrete cube test results of each stage of the building till date. Also, note that we are not taking responsibility for any other construction errors that may have occurred overtime on the project.
“Furthermore, we request that our company’s name and logo be removed from the project board and also kindly notify all necessary approving authorities of our withdrawal from the project.
“We regret this decision and the lost opportunity to do business together. We look forward to future cooperation in other projects.”
See the letter:
Sanwo-Olu orders probe into Ikoyi building collapse
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called for calm over Monday’s collapse of a 21-storey building, which was under construction, on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi. The governor has ordered an investigation into the collapse which claimed a number of lives.
The Lagos Rescue Unit (LRU), Lagos State Fire Service and Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS) are on the scene of the accident, battling to save the lives of those trapped under the rubble. Four persons are said to have been rescued, as the operations to save more lives continue.
Lagos Deputy Governor Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat visited the site in the company of other state officials, including the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako; Commissioner for Special Duties Mr Bamgbose- Martins; Special Adviser on Urban Development Mr Ganiyu Adele Ayuba; Special Adviser, GIS and Physical Planning, Dr Olajide Babatunde; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mrs Abiola Kosegbe; and General Manager, LASEMA, Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu.
The deputy governor directed security agents to cordon off the site to facilitate rescue efforts.
Buhari condoles with victims’ families
President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with families who have lost loved ones in the 22-storey building collapse in Lagos, while some are still trapped.
The president urged authorities to step up efforts in rescue operations, while emergency institutions, including hospitals, should provide all the necessary support to safeguard the lives of the rescued.
In a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari said he shared the sad moment with the people and the Government of Lagos State. The president prayed for God’s intervention in the ongoing rescue operations.
