Building collapse: Sanwo-Olu suspends LASBCA GM over approval

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has suspended the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Mr. Gbolahan Oki.

The suspension, which is indefinite, is with immediate effect.

The suspension has to do with the approval of the collapsed building.

Oki, an architect, had on Monday disclosed that the owner of the collapsed 21-storey building, under construction in Ikoyi, was given approval to construct only 15 floors.

Oki told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that: “He [the owner of the building] 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.”

Sanwo-Olu said the government will surely find out what went wrong and punish those indicted in the collapse of the 21-storey building on Gerald Road, Ikoyi on Monday.

As a first step, the governor has set up an independent panel to probe the collapse of the 21-storey building on Gerald Road, Ikoyi.

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.

Gbenga Omotoso, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, in a statement said that the investigation is not part of the internal probe already being conducted by the government.

He said 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.

Omotoso said: “The government will embark on further foundation and borehole acidic level tests to ascertain the impact on the collapsed building. These tests, particularly the borehole acidic level, is important for the entire Gerrard Road and adjoining areas.

“We wish to state that there will be no cover-up in the search for the truth in this incident. If anybody is found to have been indicted, he or she will face the law.

“It is important to restate that all developers and property owners are required to adhere strictly to all Building Codes and Planning Regulations to ensure the safety of lives and property.  Those who ignore such regulations, breaking seals and defying enforcement, will surely be prosecuted.”