Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered the immediate suspension of building construction in Banana Island, Ikoyi area of the state.

Sanwo-Olu said the suspension would help the Lagos State Government to determine how many buildings are being constructed without approval from the state government.

The governor stated that the suspension would also help the state government to know if all approved buildings are built in line with the approval limits provided.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso.

Omotoso noted that the governor’s directive followed the collapse of a seven-storey building under construction in Banana Island on Wednesday, April 12.

The commissioner stated: “Governor has directed that all developments on Banana Island be placed on hold, subject to a comprehensive audit by the officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).

“This is to determine how many buildings are being constructed without approval from the Lagos State Government; and if all approved buildings are being built in line with the approval limits provided.

“This exercise will be extended to other estates and gated communities.”

He noted that the Lagos State Government has launched a probe into the collapse of the seven-storey building following a directive by Governor Sanwo-Olu.

READ ALSO: Breaking: 7-storey building collapses in Lagos

Omotoso said preliminary investigations revealed that the incident occurred during concrete casting, noting that eyewitnesses said one of the concrete mixer trucks rammed into some load-bearing columns of the building, causing a loud bang and leading to the collapse.

He said the building has been sealed by the Lagos State Government for not having the approval to commence construction, “but the developers continued to build, hiding under the security of their estate/gated community.”

Omotoso said nobody died in the incident, adding that 25 people were rescued from the site, which the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) scanned with a high-precision 3-D Laser Imagery System for life, and found no evidence of anyone trapped in the rubble.

The commissioner disclosed that a roll call has also been done by the site supervisors, with everyone accounted for, saying the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has continued with the excavation of the site, using the architectural designs.

“The site has been divided into quadrants for a painstaking search and rescue operation.

“Presently, quadrants 2 and 3 have been levelled to ground zero, with the search operation completed. Quadrants 1 and 4 are ongoing,” he noted.

Omotoso stated that the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Bamgbose-Martins, and the Special Duties Special Adviser, Mobolaji Ogunlende, are co-ordinating the operations, while the LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, is leading the search-and-rescue efforts.

He said the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has visited the site and hospitals where victims of the incident were admitted.

“Of the 25 persons rescued by LASEMA, 16 with moderate injuries were admitted at General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island and Police Hospital Falomo for treatment and care. Nine others with minor injuries, such as bruises, were treated and discharged at the site by Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS).

“Of the 16 persons on admission, 11 were taken to Police Hospital Falomo. Eight of the 11 persons have been treated and discharged. Some are required to come for daily follow-up and management.

“Three with various injuries, including blunt traumatic chest injury, knee injuries, deep lacerations and others, are on admission.

“At the General Hospital Odan, Lagos Island, there are five patients with more serious injuries,” Omotoso added.

The commissioner said the Lagos State Government will be responsible for the emergency treatment and care, including the medical bills of the patients on admission, adding it will also provide a post-trauma counselling support and care for all victims through the Lagos MiND programme (Mental Health in Development) – a free mental health counselling and support service provided by the Ministry of Health.

The Star