By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Mr Gbolahan Oki, has been suspended indefinitely by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The suspension of Mr Oki followed the collapse of a 21-storey building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State, on Monday, November 1, 2021, killing more than six persons, with some workers still trapped under the rubbles.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, on Tuesday, it was stated that the Governor has ordered the setting up an independent panel to probe the unfortunate incident.
According to the statement, the investigating team will comprise members of the Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA), Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) and other professional bodies.
The committee will independently investigate the remote and immediate causes of the incident and make recommendations on how to prevent future occurrences. The investigation is not part of the internal probe already being conducted by the government, the statement added.
Mr Sanwo-Olu said his administration will find out what went wrong and punish those indicted.
Giving an update on the rescue efforts, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy stated that nine persons – all men – have been pulled out of the rubble alive and taken to the hospital, while 14 others were brought out dead – as at 2 pm.
He said the Governor has 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 relations who may have been involved in the incident.
