Collapsed Lagos building: 25 rescued, 16 admitted at General Hospital, Odan

• Collapse, an indictment on professionalism, says
• NIOB past president
• Lagos extends audit to estates, orders probe

It was another buck passing, yesterday, by Lagos authorities, as rescuers continue the search for missing person(s) in the collapsed seven-storey building at Banana Island, Ikoyi area of Lagos State.
   

The government also declared that its audit will be extended to other estates and gated communities.

Already, the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, headed by Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, in a face-saving statement, said the collapsed seven-floor building, under construction, was unapproved by the Ministry.
   
In the statement released by its Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Mukaila Sanusi, there was no fatality, adding that few people,  who sustained injuries in the  unfortunate incident, which  happened while casting was being done, are being treated.  
   

ALSO, the immediate past President of Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) Mr. Kunle Awobodu, has said the collapse of building in Banana Island estate, is an indictment on professionalism in the country.
 
He called on the government, especially the Lagos authorities to arrest those culpable in the structural failure and ensure that they are prosecuted if found wanting.
     
Speaking with The Guardian in Lagos, he lamented that a building of such magnitude should not have collapsed, if professionals have been involved and adequately managed the production process.
   
He said with the incident, the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) has updated its record of building collapse in Nigeria from 1974 – 2023 to 552, with Lagos State, accounting for 59.06 per cent of the cases.
   

“The image and reputation of those of us in the Nigerian building industry are at stake before the whole world. What excuses are we going to offer for the latest building collapse?  It is unfortunate that nobody has been successfully prosecuted for building collapse offences in Nigeria.
 
“Quackery, compromise and impunity proceed unchecked. When human beings are not subjected to the law of consequence, misdeeds are absolved in sentiments. Alas, loss of life and property becomes a continuum,” he added.

MEANWHILE, Lagos State government said it has launched a probe into the incident, following a directive by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, in a statement, yesterday, said nobody died in the incident, while 25 people were rescued from the site.
He stressed that LASEMA scanned the incident with a high-precision 3-D Laser Imagery System for life, and found no evidence of anyone trapped in the rubble.
According to him, a roll call has also been done by the site supervisors, with everyone accounted for.
He said: “ 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 two and three have been levelled to ground zero, with the search operation completed. Quadrants one and four are ongoing.

“Physical Planning and Urban Development Commissioner, Bamgbose-Martins, an engineer, and Special Duties Adviser, Mobolaji Ogunlende, are co-ordinating the operations. LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, is leading the search-and-rescue efforts.

“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. 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 patients on admission, 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.”