Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has order immediate investigation into the collapse building in Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria.
The order was contained in a statement issued by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso on Tuesday afternoon.
Brand Spur Nigeria recalls that a 21-storey building at 20, Gerrard Road, Ikoyi collapsed on Monday with many people feared trapped under the rubble of the collapsed structure.
Members of the investigative 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.
They will 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”, Information Commissioner, Gbenga Omotoso announced in a statement.
Sanwo-Olu vowed that the government will find out what went wrong and punish those indicted.
Sanwo-Olu Suspends Lagos State Building Agency Boss
The Lagos Rescue Unit (LRU), Lagos State Fire Service and Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS) are on the site, battling to save the lives of those under the rubble as more people are believed to be trapped.
The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, visited the site in the company of other officials like the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako; Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Bamgbose- Martins and Special Adviser on Urban Development, Mr. Ganiyu Adele Ayuba.
Others include Special Adviser, GIS and Physical Planning, Dr. Olajide Babatunde; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mrs. Abiola Kosegbe as well as General Manager, LASEMA Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu.
The governor directed that the General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbolahan Oki, an architect, be suspended from work immediately.
