Lagos Building Collapse: Commissioner Forced To Resign

By James Orji

Dr Idris Salako, the Lagos state Commissioner for Physical and Urban Development, has resigned over Sunday’s building collapse at Sand field bus stop, in the Lekki area of Lagos State.

In a statement released on Monday, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso said the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has accepted Salako’s resignation.

“This 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 statement read in part.

The magazine however learned that the commissioner was forced to resign following pressure and criticism from the members of the public.

No fewer than four people died when the uncompleted high-rise building collapsed. The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA Olufemi Oke-Osonyintolu, said three dead bodies have been evacuated from the rubbles.

Osantintolu said, “No injury sustained. However, about six people are reported to be trapped under the rubble of the collapsed structure.

“The agency’s heavy-duty equipment excavator will be required for the rescue of the trapped victims. We have activated the Lagos State Response plan. The operation is ongoing. More updates to follow.”

The state has been beset with many building collapses recently as the state government struggles to enforce building laws in Nigeria’s economic capital and most populous state.

Not a few Lagosians are angry that property owners are not held responsible for enabling building collapse despite the state’s strong town planning codes.

Critics of the government also insisted that officials of the ministry responsible must be held to account for allegedly conniving with developers to breach building laws.

Some have accused state officials of collecting bribes and looking the other way while crooked property developers circumvent the law.

“Take, for instance, the most recent, Oniru building collapse, the developer was said to have returned several times to the site after the property was sealed by town planning officials from the state government. The owner was said to have called on a higher authority to call the officials off whenever they want to enforce the law,’ a resident in the area said.