17th February, 2022
The Lagos State Government on Thursday said there is no compensation for families of 50 people who lost their lives in the collapse of 21-storey building in Ikoyi last year.
A 21-storey building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, caved in on November 1, 2021, killing about 50 people.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, in an interview on 99.3FM radio programme “Daily Digest”, with host Jimi Disu, said all those who evacuated bodies of their loved ones and asked for assistance were given money for transportation and funeral.
Nobody, according to him, has come out to say he or she lost money in the incident.
Omotoso, who was asked if government would compensate the victims the law has no room for compensation.
In his words: “The law has no room for such compensation, but if you’re talking about doing this on compassionate grounds, I know Mr. Governor as a compassionate leader.
“If other people also put up a case for assistance with verifiable documentation, I am sure it is something that Mr. Governor may consider.”
On those doubting if indeed those indicted would be prosecuted, the Commissioner said Attorney-General Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) had been directed by Governor Sanwo-Olu to ensure that those found guilty of compromising the process of adherence to quality standards at the Foreshore Towers in Ikoyi were prosecuted.
Omotoso disclosed that the state government was already fashioning out ways of collaboration with the private sector to strengthen monitoring and enforcement activities in the built sector in response to one of the recommendations of the panel on lack of adequate personnel to monitor building projects across the State.
He gave an assurance that all those found culpable in the process leading to the Foreshore Tower collapse, especially civil servants, would5 face sanctions.