2 Killed As Another Property Crumbles In Lagos

Source: thewillnigeria.com
PHOTO: THE BUILDING THAT COLLAPSED AT ONIYANRIN STREET, MILE 12, LAGOS. INSET; LAGOS STATE COMMISSIONER FOR PHYSICAL PLANNING, TPL FRANCISCO ABOSEDE (LEFT) AND HIS COUNTERPART FROM THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & STRATEGY, MR OPEYEMI BAMIDELE.
PHOTO: THE BUILDING THAT COLLAPSED AT ONIYANRIN STREET, MILE 12, LAGOS. INSET; LAGOS STATE COMMISSIONER FOR PHYSICAL PLANNING, TPL FRANCISCO ABOSEDE (LEFT) AND HIS COUNTERPART FROM THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & STRATEGY, MR OPEYEMI BAMIDELE.


LAGOS, Sept 28, (THEWILL) - Two persons were today confirmed dead as another building collapsed in the Mile 12 area of Kosefe Local Government, Lagos, killing two residents just a few hours after a four-storey building collapsed at Tinubu Square, Lagos Island.


The building is located along Oniyanrin Street, Mile 12, Lagos State.


As a result, the Lagos State Government today announced that nine buildings found defective and unsafe would be demolished just as another five buildings have been marked for test to determine their structure, strength and integrity.


THEWILL was told by a credible source that the building that collapsed today "belongs to Baale of Maidan, a community in Mile 12 area in Kosefe Local Government Area".


An eyewitness told our correspondent that the two-storey building had at least 20 persons inside including traders, aged women and men when it came crumbling down.


Rescue efforts were still on as at press time.

Meanwhile, in his reaction to Monday’s Tinubu Square incident, the General Manager of the State Physical Planning and Development Agency (LASPPDA), Dr. Oke Osanyintolu confirmed that about 23 persons had been rescued from the rubbles of the building.


He told THEWILL that the buildings that have been marked for demolition are those numbered 20, 22, 24, 26/28 at Alli Street, 4a and 9a Obe Street and 11, 13, 15 Obadina Street, all in Tinubu/Itafaji areas of Lagos Island. Others marked for test are buildings located on 17 Obadina Street, 30, 32, 23 and 25 Alli Street.


Speaking with journalists, Osanyintolu said the state government had on several occasion warned landlords whose properties were not properly constructed or whose properties were built over 50 years to reappraise the buildings to ascertain their fitness.


According to him, "When they failed to comply with the advice, rule and regulation of the state government, we cannot allow such incidence to continue where lives and properties were lost. No defective buildings will be left behind in this area. It is not only this area that will be affected. Other places on the Island where such structures are situated will be touched."


He described the operation as prompt and smart, saying the concerted effort of the state government and Julius Berger Plc among others "culminated in the rescue of 23 people including eight children, while only six people sustained minor injuries."