The Lagos State Government has ordered the arrest of the developer and building professionals working on the storey building that collapsed in Lagos on Sunday.
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According to the state government, they are liable for disregarding planning laws.
The building collapsed in the early hours of Sunday in Lekki, Lagos State.
Two bodies were recovered from the rubble while at least six persons were said to be trapped.
However, a statement issued by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development said the government had ordered the arrest of the developer and other building professionals involved.
“The Commissioner (Dr. Idris Salako) said the developer and professionals on the building were liable for their disregard for the planning laws of the state, having embarked on construction without a valid Planning Permit and ignoring official warnings against continuing the building works.
“He emphasised that under no circumstances should anyone construe the filling of Application for Permit through the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority as a ticket to commence construction as there must be a valid Planning Permit from the aforementioned agency, in addition to letter of Authorisation, stage inspection at every stage and certification by the Lagos State Building Control Agency to ensure that construction works were carried out in conformity with the approval granted.
“He noted that while the State Government was investigating the circumstances surrounding the collapse, the police had started a manhunt for the developer and all professionals involved in the project such as architects, builders or engineers who are on the project.
“Salako expressed concern with the pace of disregard for law and order by actors in the built sector, stressing that the State Government was determined to restore sanity and orderliness to the sector, where it had declared incidents of building collapse intolerable.”
Emergency responders earlier recovered two dead bodies from the rubble of a building.
Zonal Coordinator South West, National Emergency Management Agency, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, disclosed this to journalists on Sunday in Lagos.
Farinloye said the seven-storey building under construction collapsed at Oba Idowu Oniru Street, Lekki.
He said operations were ongoing to rescue the remaining trapped persons under the rubble.
“Seven-storey building collapsed at Sand field bus stop, Lekki. Six people are said to be trapped and responders on ground,” he had said.
Speaking on the collapse, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the collapsed building was under construction.
“No injury sustained. However, about six people are reported to be trapped under the rubble of the collapsed structure.
“The agency’s heavy-duty equipment excavator will be required for the rescue of the trapped victims. We have activated Lagos State Response plan. The operation is ongoing. More updates to follow,” he had added.
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