The Lagos State Commissioner, Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, in a statement, has said, it is wrong to assert, or speculate, that, the two high-rise buildings, standing at the site of the 21-storey collapsed building in Ikoyi, Lagos, would be demolished.
Omotoso confirmed that, a ‘Panel of Inquiry’ has been instituted to look into the matter, and until the outcome of their “integrity test on the two buildings”, nothing can be done to the two standing high-rise buildings.
He said, while investigation is still ongoing, “Thirty-two families have come forward to submit samples for DNA, to identify bodies that they wish to claim”, and some of the corpses have been released to their families, after due diligence.
Commissioner Omotoso also stated that, “The operation at the site of the collapsed building continues”, and that, “Vehicular movement around the site has been smooth, following the reopening of the road.”
He however revealed that, two other bodies were again recovered from the rubbles, bringing the total number of retrieved bodies at the site, to 45.
In Omotoso’s words,
“Two more bodies were recovered from the site today. The recovery of the two bodies has brought to 45 the number of bodies retrieved from the site.”
Below is the statement as released by the Lagos State Commissioner, Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso. It reads:
UPDATE ON IKOYI COLLAPSED BUILDING
CONTRARY to speculations, no directive has been given for the demolition of the two high-rise buildings standing at the site of the 21-storey collapsed building in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The Panel of Inquiry instituted into the collapse of the building has continued to sit and an integrity test on the two buildings is yet to be conducted on the two buildings. It is, therefore, wrong to assert or speculate that the buildings will be demolished.
The operation at the site of the collapsed building continues. Vehicular movement around the site has been smooth, following the reopening of the road.
Two more bodies were recovered from the site today. The recovery of the two bodies has brought to 45 the number of bodies retrieved from the site.
The identification of bodies of the victims of the incident has continued at IDH, Yaba, Lagos Mainland. Thirty-two families have come forward to submit samples for DNA to identify bodies that they wish to claim. In cases where identification is clear and there are no arguments, the bodies will be released to the families.
A committee to supervise the identification and release of the bodies has begun work. It comprises senior officials of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Justice.
Gbenga Omotoso
Commissioner, Information and Strategy