Lagos – Lagos State government has halted all construction activities and developments on Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, until further notice.
The directive given by the state governor , Babajide Sanwo-olu on Thursday is in response to the collapse of a 7-storey building under construction on the Island on Wednesday.
The governor said the step became necessary to enable government to carry out a comprehensive audit of all houses on the island by the officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
Gbenga Omotoso , the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy in a statement said government has also launched investigation into the collapse of the 7-storey building.
Omotoso said the building was hitherto 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.”
On the casualty fogure, the statement said nobody died in the incident but confirmed that 25 persons were rescued from the ruins of the building.
“Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) scanned the building with a high-precision 3-D Laser Imagery System for life and found no evidence of anyone trapped in the rubble.
“A roll call has also been done by the site supervisors, with everyone accounted for.
“Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has continued with the excavation of the site, using the architectural designs.
“The site has also been divided into quadrants for a painstaking search and rescue operation.
“Presently, quadrants 2 and 3 have been levelled to ground zero, having completed the search operation. Quadrants 1 and 4 are ongoing.
“Physical Planning and Urban Development Commissioner, Bamgbose-Martins, an engineer and Special Duties Adviser, Mobolaji Ogunlende, are coordinating the operations.
“LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu is leading the operations.
“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.
“The State Government, as a matter of policy, will be responsible for the emergency treatment and care, including the medical bills of the victims on admission.
“It will also provide 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.
“Preliminary investigations have shown that the incident occurred during concrete casting.
“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,” the statement explained.
According to Omotoso , the directive to halt further construction/developments on Banana Island 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.
He said the exercise will be extended to other estates and gated communities in other parts of the state.
(LMIOS/vitalnewsngr.com)
