InsiderBLM Africa
A seven-story building under construction on First Avenue in the Banana Island neighborhood of Ikoyi, Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos, has made headlines once more.
The most recent incident in the affluent neighborhood of some wealthy Nigerians brings to light what appears to be an incident that occurs frequently in the southwestern state.
Building experts question the role of government agencies in the approval processes for buildings in the state while locals try to understand why Lagos has continued to make headlines for cases of building collapse.
Kenneth Nduka, a former president of the Nigerian Institute of Building, claims that one reason why building collapses keep happening is because the government is unable to bring cases against those responsible.
“Let me integrate backwards; there have been collapses, and those collapses have been looked into. I have not heard—or perhaps I am not paying close attention—that Mr. X or Mr. Y has been imprisoned because he assisted in the construction of a structure that has collapsed. Says Nduka
Nduka urged the Lagos state government to make sure buildings in the state are constructed in accordance with proper guidelines in response to the collapse of a seven-story building being built in Lagos.
There is a requirement for the type of material you use if you are using it. If you’re going to start a multistory building, make sure to investigate the soil’s geotechnical stability first. Nduka claims.
State government representatives who visited the scene of the accident reported that rescue efforts were in full swing to locate anyone trapped beneath the rubble.
A team of Lagos state government representatives visited the scene of the incident on Thursday, April 13, to conduct an on-the-spot evaluation.
When the rescue team arrived on the scene, according to Lagos State Emergency Management Agency Director General Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyitolu, they immediately got to work.
Seven people were found alive thanks to our combined efforts. Those who were saved received immediate care and were then released. said Oke-Osanyitolu.
One patient was moved to a private hospital, where he is currently receiving adequate care. Adds he.
An update on the rescue effort was provided by Mobolaji Ogunlende, Special Adviser to Lagos Governor on Special Duties and intergovernmental relations.
By the time I arrived, Lagos State Emergency Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS) had already arrived on the scene and were treating about 7 to 8 minor injuries. And we’ve taken a few of them who we thought needed to go to the hospital.” said Ogunlende.
When questioned about the fatality rate, he responded, “As of this moment, we have not recorded any fatalities. We are present, our tools are present, and our current goal is to determine how quickly we can sort through the debris to determine whether or not we can recover any fatalities.
Out of the 25 people who were saved by emergency personnel, 16 victims with moderate injuries were receiving treatment, according to the Lagos State health authorities.
The Building Collapse Prevention Guild in Nigeria claims that Lagos State has recorded 115 building collapses in the last 10 years, according to Africanews Correspondent David Agunlouye Tayor.
