Gbolahan Oki, General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), attributed the collapse of a two-storey building in Mushin to the use of substandard materials. Oki announced that the building's owner will be prosecuted for violating a stop-work order and breaking the government's seal on the property.
The collapse, which occurred on Wednesday, led to the rescue of seven individuals trapped at the site, confirmed by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA). Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, LASEMA's Permanent Secretary, corroborated this in a statement.
According to LASBCA spokesperson Olaoye Olusegun, preliminary investigations revealed that substandard materials were used in the construction, which included an illegal attachment to the two-storey building. Oki noted that despite a stop-work order and a quit notice served by LASBCA, the property owner continued construction by breaking the government seal.
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Oki emphasized that actions against the property owner could include the demolition of other defective structures within the compound, prosecution, and seizure of the property. He urged residents to refrain from building without necessary permits and warned against tampering with government seals on unsafe buildings.
The General Manager expressed relief that no lives were lost, attributing this to the swift response by emergency agencies. Injured occupants were reported to be receiving medical treatment at a nearby facility. Oki warned developers against illegal constructions and modifications, stressing the importance of obtaining proper approvals and supervision to ensure safety.
