16th July, 2011
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) at the weekend commiserated with the families of the two persons who lost their lives in the collapsed building at Ketu even as he reiterated his administration’s preparedness to visit the full wrath of the law on people who violate state’s town planning laws.
The Governor, who was represented on the assessment visit to the N0. 20, Doyin Omololu Street, Ketu, site of the collapsed building by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba, urged Lagosians to be law abiding and not to endanger people’s lives in the bid to make more money by cutting corners.
The Governor enjoined residents to report violators of town planning rules and regulations to the appropriate authority, adding that there would be no sacred cow.
He called on Community Development Associations (CDA), Landlords Associations and professional bodies to co-operate with the state government with a view to forestalling incidence of building collapse in the metropolis, pointing out that those who would not comply with law and order should be ready to bear the consequences.
While assessing the effect of the collapsed storey building on the adjoining structures, Governor Fashola said that impact assessment test would be carried out on the structures close to the collapsed building.
He commended the officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Physical Planning and Development Agency (LASPPDA), Lagos State Fire Service and the police for responding swiftly to the distress call yesterday and for the efforts so far made at safeguarding lives and property at the scene of the incident.
The Governor condemned the owner of the building for trying to put additional structure on the building without informing relevant authorities and conduct the impact of such additional structure on the entire building.
Receiving the Governor’s delegation including the Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello and Directors of Ministry of Information and Strategy at the site, the General Manager of LASEMA, Dr. Oluwafemi Osanyintolu said the team has recovered two bodies and rescued six casualties and that the agencies are trying to bring down the building.