The Lagos State Government will demolish all buildings marked as distressed around the collapsed three-storey building at Alakija, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said, just as he ordered the trial of the owner.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made the declarations when he visited the site of the building, which collapsed on Thursday, on Friday.
Represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, he sympathised with the families of the victims and praised emergency responders for their swift intervention.
As earlier reported by The Eagle Online, Omotoso said nine persons, including a two-year-old girl, died and 27 were rescued alive from the rubble of the collapsed building.
He said the search and rescue operation lasted all night.
Still at the site are Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Nigeria Police Force, Command and Control Centre, Neighbourhood Watch, and other agencies. The commissioner added: “Governor Sanwo-Olu is saddened by this incident.
“He sends his condolences.“This should not have happened, if people had obeyed the law instead of prioritising livelihoods over lives. “The collapsed building had been marked as structurally distressed and occupants were directed to vacate the premises, but the warning was ignored.“
All other buildings already marked as unsafe within the area will be demolished to prevent similar tragedies and avoid a compromise of the lives of others around. “Twenty-seven people were rescued alive, while nine casualties were recorded during the search and rescue.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu commiserates with the families who lost their loved ones.”The Commissioner also vowed that owners of the collapsed building would be prosecuted by the state. “Anyone found to have violated building regulations or frustrated enforcement efforts will surely face legal action,” he said.
Omotoso condemned the construction of buildings beneath high-tension electricity lines, describing the practice as “dangerous” and “suicidal”.According to the commissioner, the cause of the collapse is being investigated, adding: “Survivors are receiving treatment at various hospitals.“
Owners of the collapsed and other distressed buildings will be prosecuted for culpability in the incident, according to the law of Lagos State.“You cannot build under high-tension power lines. “It is dangerous and unacceptable in any civilised society. “It shows disregard for the law, and the government will not tolerate that.”The government urged residents to comply with safety directives, stressing that protecting lives remains its top priority.Omotoso advised all residents of buildings around the scene to relocate immediately.
He praised all the first responders for “a good job”.The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, also commended “all first responders and security personnel who worked tirelessly for the evacuation of survivors as the building was brought to ground zero”.
With Omotoso was the Commissioner for Special Duties, Gbenga Oyerinde, who also praised the first responders “for their efforts”.
