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Again, building collapses in Lagos, one dead

By Wole Oyebade
20 March 2016   |   2:57 am
Few days after 34 construction workers were killed in a building collapse in the Lekki area of Lagos metropolis, another occurred yesterday at the Mile 12 area, killing at least one person.
The site of the collapsed building PHOTO: Bertram Nwannekanma

The site of the collapsed building PHOTO: Bertram Nwannekanma

Few days after 34 construction workers were killed in a building collapse in the Lekki area of Lagos metropolis, another occurred yesterday at the Mile 12 area, killing at least one person.

The collapse of the one-storey building comes on the heels of gradual return of economic activities in the area, as a result of the reopening of the popular Mile 12 market. The market had been shut for almost a month following a clash that led to the death of about eight persons.

The incident generated panic, as the balcony of the building, located at No. 9, Alli Close, came down in the early hours.According to eyewitnesses, the victim, a 47-year-old woman was on the balcony when it crashed and left her with severe injuries. She died on the way to the hospital.

The Guardian gathered that the 16-room building had shown signs of distress before the incident.General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Michael Akindele, confirmed the collapse.

Akindele said while a full-scale investigation would be carried out by relevant government agencies, the occupants of the building have been evacuated and the place condoned off for safety reason.

The General Manager advised the public to report distressed buildings, impending collapse and other emergencies in the state for appropriate action. According to him, the task of ensuring a building collapse-free Lagos is the collective responsibility of every citizen.

Lagos State government, in response to the Lekki incident, had fired top officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and set up a five-man committee headed by Dr. Moses Olubunmi Ajayi, to examine the Urban and Regional Planning Law of the State, as it affects LASBCA operations, and make recommendations that will ensure effective service delivery. The state government also unveiled plans to carry out an audit of all structures in the metropolis.

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