- Structure not approved – LASG
BY MAYOWA SAMUEL
A seven-storey building under construction collapsed in Banana Island, Ikoyi area of Lagos State on Wednesday.
The incident happened around 3 pm.
The Point gathered that the building caved in when some of the construction workers on site had closed for the day.
Some of them were however injured as a result of the collapse.
The spokesperson for the Lagos Fire Service and Rescue Service, Amodu Shakiru, confirmed the incident.
He said, “We got a call around 3:58 pm. We are currently trying to ascertain the claim that no one was under the rubble.”
Also, the National Emergency Management Agency in Lagos State confirmed the incident in a terse statement.
“A report of a storey building under construction was just received at Banana Island. Workers trapped. We are mobilising to respond,” the statement read.
In a swift reaction, the Lagos State Government said that the building was unapproved and that the collapse occurred when casting was being done.
In a statement by Mukaila Sanusi, Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State government said: “An unapproved seven-floor building under construction has collapsed in Banana Island, Lagos State, this evening.
“Few, who sustained injuries, are being treated. There is no fatality. This unfortunate incident happened while casting was being done.
“The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Engr. Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, was immediately on site to assess the situation and flag-off investigation.
“We ask members of the public to remain calm and expect further information from the ministry as we know more.”
Lagos has been experiencing a recurrence of building collapse, one of which was that of November 1, 2021, when a 21-storey building being developed by Fourscore Homes, collapsed in the Ikoyi axis of the state.
Forty-six persons reportedly died in the incident while 15 others were rescued. Femi Osibona, the owner of Fourscore Homes, was among those who died in the collapsed building.
Another incident in February 2022, saw a three-storey building collapse in the Onike area of Yaba, leading to several casualties.
In May 2022, the collapse of a three-storey building in the Ebute-Meta axis of the state claimed at least eight lives.
In September 2022, a seven-storey uncompleted building collapsed at Oba Idowu Oniru street, in the Lekki area of Lagos.