…but the owner built 21
The owner of the collapsed 21-story building, under construction in Ikoyi, was given the approval to build only 15 floors.
Gbolahan Oki, General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), has revealed.
His revelation directly raised questions about regulatory efficiency of his agency.
Oki told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that the owner of the property, Femi Osibona has been arrested and would face the law because people have died in the disaster.
“He got approval for a 15-story building and he exceeded his limit. I am on the ground here and the materials he used are so inferior and terrible.
“The materials he used, the reinforcement, are so terrible. He got approval for 15 floors but built 21.
“I think he has been locked down. He has been arrested before now,” he said.
He said four people were rescued alive and three people died, adding that rescue efforts were still ongoing.
“We are still here and have four machines working as at this moment,” he told NAN.
At least 50 people were reportedly trapped under the rubble after the 21-story building collapsed in Ikoyi, Lagos State.
The building, located at 20 Gerrard Road, collapsed at about 3 p.m. on Monday.
The materials he used, the reinforcement, are so terrible. He got approval for 15 floors but built 21.
“I think he has been locked down. He has been arrested before now,” he said.
He noted that heavy-duty equipment and life detection equipment have been deployed to the scene.
It was also gathered that the owner and developer of the building and about some artisans were inside the building when it was carved in.
“The developer and all the workers including the owner of the building were trapped under the rubbles after the structure under construction around Ikoyi axis of Lagos State collapsed.
As gathered, the property owner was at the site inspecting the structure along Gerald road at Musiliu junction, when the building caved in at about 2:30 pm, with many trapped under the structure.
Before the structure caved in on Monday, it was alleged that the property owner had been preventing officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and other building regulatory agencies from gaining access to the structure
