Lagos Commissioner Quits As Death Toll In Building Collapse Hits 6

The death toll recorded in the seven- storey building under construction which collapsed on Sunday in Oba Idowu Oniru Street, Lekki area of Lagos State has increased to six.

Two bodies were evacuated from the building on Sunday as rescue operations intensified.
But on Monday, four bodies were recovered from the debris, bringing the total to six.

Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu confirmed that four bodies were evacuated from the building on Monday.
He said this has brought the total number of deaths in the collapsed building to six.

Oke-Osanyintolu who said those brought out dead from the building were all male added that operation was now at ground zero, saying that by Tuesday, operation would move to middle level.
The collapsed building has cost the commissioner for physical planning and urban development, Dr. Idris Salako, his job, as he was given soft-landing to resign his appointment on Monday.
The governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by the commissioner for information and strategy Gbenga Omotoso, accepted the resignation of Salako.
Accordinging to him, the development is a prelude to the restructuring of the ministry and its agencies.
‘’Governor Sanwo-Olu thanks the commissioner for his services to the state and wishes him success in his future endeavours.
‘’The governor warns all players in the sector to respect the law or face the consequences of any indiscretion, no matter who the perpetrators are.’’
The state government has also ordered arrest of the developer and building professionals working on the seventh-floor structure that collapsed.

A statement by Mr Mukaila Sanusi, spokesperson, Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development said the developers and professionals were liable because they did not regard the planning laws of the state.