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….LASBCA begins marking distressed structures
One person has died and two other injured in a 2-storey building collapse at Haruna area of Lagos.
Although, the tragic incident occured on 97, Lagos Road, Haruna, Ikorodu, Lagos, at about 10pm, it was learnt that the emergency agencies couldn’t do much to rescue trapped victims due to non availability of rescue equipment as at the time it occured.
As at the time of filing this report, nobody could ascertain the number victims lost or still trapped in the collapsed building, it was learnt that only two persons comprising a male and a female are confirmed injured were had been taken at Ikorodu General hospital receiving medical treatment.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA is yet to confirm the incident but the National Emergency, said that that the rescue operation took place immediately.
Confirming the incident, the National Emergency Management Agency’s spokesperson, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye said that the emergency responders couldn’t do much sue to some challenges, but added that the agency could only confirm 3 injured persons.
Farinloye said: “Immediately the incidence occurred, the local residence within the area mobilised themselves to carry out initial rescue activities. Though, fire service and Police responded but unable to do much due to unavailability of equipment to lift the rumble on the suspected location of the trapped victims.
It was reported that that the ill-fated building was an abandoned one that the owner had asked the occupants to leave but those there are said to be staying there without the consent of the owner.
He added that two people were rescued while 3 are suspected to be missing and trapped presently.
Labsca, NEMA, Police DMU and LASEMA are already searching for the trapped victims.
Meanwhile, following the tragic incident, the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA has begun intense monitoring of structures in the area with a view to evicting occupants of such structures before it collapsed.
The General Manager of the agency, Gbolahan Oki, an architect, decried occupants disobedience to eviction order, saying when the agency warned them to vacate a distressed building to avert disaster,many of them would ignore.
He said: “In the last few weeks a total number of 45 distressed buildings have been removed in Lagos State to avert collapse…. These buildings had earlier been identified and published in National dailies. Issues of collapse have also been reduced due to our proactiveness in identifying and removing suchWe were at Obalende just yesterday to remove some non conforming structures to also avert collapse”We remain committed in ensuring that incidences of collapse are eradicated or at least brought down to a barest minimum.
“We appeal to Lagosians to assist us in this drive by reporting distressed and illegal constructions….. Together we can stamp out building collapse and safeguard precious lives and properties of Lagosians.”
