Joy Anyim
A three-storey building, located on No. 60 Odo Street, Obalende, in Eti-Osa Local Council Development Area of Lagos State collapsed, on Sunday, killing seven persons.
According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the building was under construction as workers were casting the third floor, when the building caved in.
A statement signed by LASEMA’s Head, Public-Affairs, Nosa Okunbor, stated that the building had been sealed by the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, for obvious reasons of contraventions.
The statement said the owner of the building however resumed work on the site early on Sunday, despite official warming not to carry on with the construction.
“LASEMA had recovered 10 casualties treated with minor injuries,10 severely injured persons exhumed from the debris, tended, and transferred to hospital for further treatment.
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“However, records indicate that the seven fatalities, made up of six men, and one woman, have also been recovered and promptly handed over to SEHMU, in the still ongoing operation with joint responders deploying the Agency’s equipment for swift and timely rescues.
“Further on-site investigations during LASEMA’s ongoing operation which is yet to access a portion said to be occupied by some of the workers revealed that the collapsed building at the above stated address, had been sealed by the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, for obvious reasons of contraventions.
“It was also revealed that the owner of the said structure had commenced clandestine operations in the wee hours of Sunday, an illegal action which directly resulted to this unfortunate incident that has so far claimed seven lives and resulted in multiple injuries for the several rescued.
“According to eyewitness accounts, casting of the third floor was in progress, when the building suddenly collapsed at the illegal construction site.
“The workers were busy working their shift, those who came off shift, were also at the illegal construction site relaxing before the disaster occurred,” the statement said.
