As rescue operations continue at the location of Monday’s collapsed building at Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, the Lagos State Government has restated its determination to ensure that as many people as possible are rescued alive from the rubble.
Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday night visited the site of the collapsed building to inspect the ongoing rescue operations.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s visit comes hours after his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat visited the site to give updates on the combined efforts of the State Government, Federal Government Agencies as well as Julius Berger to rescue those trapped in the collapsed building.
The Deputy Governor, who was accompanied to the site by top government officials, said the focus of government, for now, is to ensure that the ongoing rescue operations yield positive results such that those still trapped in the rubble are brought out alive.
Dr. Hamzat revealed that “Nine people have been rescued alive and taken to the hospital while 10 dead bodies have been recovered. Out of the nine survivors, three have been discharged from the hospital while six are in stable condition and are doing well. The focus of the operation right now is to rescue those that are trapped”.
He also stated that it will be difficult to ascertain the number of the trapped victims, noting that the building is still under construction and not yet occupied.
Stating that the project site was sealed up for four months by the relevant agency because of some anomalies in the construction process, the Deputy Governor gave further assurance that other adjourning buildings in the axis will be subjected to the Structural Integrity Test for appropriate action.
He emphasised that the State government would not relent in its efforts at ensuring that buildings under construction in Lagos are subjected to structural integrity tests to prevent issues of building collapse.
The Deputy Governor, who also led other top government officials to the Lagos General Hospital, Marina, where the survivors are being treated, promised that the State Government will take full responsibility for the treatment and medical bills of rescued victims of the Ikoyi building collapse.
