Ikoyi collapsed building tribunal calls for calm, submission of memoranda
This aerial view taken on November 2, 2021, shows rubble of the 21-story building that collapsed on in Ikoyi, Lagos, on November 1, 2021. – Nigerian rescue crews pulled two more survivors out of a collapsed Lagos high-rise building on November 2, 2021, and were communicating with others buried inside the rubble, a day after the disaster killed at least seven and left much more trapped.<br />The 21-storey building was still under construction when it fell abruptly into a pile of concrete slabs on Monday in the wealthy Ikoyi district of Nigeria’s commercial capital. (Photo by Benson Ibeabuchi / AFP)
A six-man panel of Inquiry set up by the Lagos State Government to investigate the collapsed 21-storey Ikoyi building, yesterday, called for calm and promised to come with a report after 30 days.
The panel also explained why it has not made its activities known to the public, claiming professionalism.
Chairman of the panel, Toyin Ayinde, who made the remarks yesterday, during a briefing in Lagos, to update the public on the activities of the panel so far since inauguration, called on the public, professional bodies and construction industry stakeholders, as well as individuals to submit memoranda, which have a direct bearing on the incident as well as their recommendations to prevent future occurrence.
The panel also sympathised with the bereaved families and observed one-minute silence in honour of the 45 persons, who lost their lives as a result of the incident.
Recall that on November 1, 2021, the 21- storey building collapsed, killing about 45 persons, including the developer, Femi Osibona, and 15 injured.
Subsequently, on Thursday, November 4, 2021, Lagos State Governor, Bababjide Sanwo-Olu, inaugurated a six-man panel to probe the incident with a view to prevent future occurrence.
The Tribunal was given 30 days to complete its task, with 19 days already spent.
Calling for memoranda, Ayinde stated that the tribunal could be reached through the email address: lagosgerrardtribunal@gmail.com
Speaking on the procedure for sitting, Ayinde confirmed that some documents have been received from some officials of Government, Departments, Agencies (MDA’s) and members have started studying them.
He said: “We have also interviewed some of the Lagos State Government staff members in the relevant MDA’s.
“We however appeal to members of the public, professional bodies and construction industry stakeholders, as well as individuals who have useful information and invite them to submit memoranda which have direct bearing on the particular issue being investigated, as well as their recommendations to prevent future occurrence.
“The Tribunal began formal interviews with witnesses from Tuesday, November 16, 2021 in order to identify the roles played in the activities that led to the collapse of the building, and received the report from the consultants who conducted verticality tests on the remaining structures standing in the premises of the collapsed building.
“The results of the tests on the construction materials are still being awaited.
“The interviews conducted have been recorded for the purpose of record-keeping, and the Tribunal would meet as many as are willing to present credible and factual statements, with evidence(s), relating to the collapse.
“The Tribunal’s mode of communication would be to brief the Media through Press releases as and when required, so that the public may be aware of the conduct of the proceedings.
The chairman, therefore, appealed for public cooperation, saying, “we hope that we will, together with all stakeholders, be able to solve this problem on a permanent basis.”
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