Lagos Building collapse: Experts apportion blames as Nigerians

Thursday, June 26 was another black day in Lagos. A day that started like any other normal day but before noon was enveloped in agony of pains and sorrows for many families.

A two-storey building at Alakija Bus-stop, along Old Ojo Road, Satellite Town, in Oriade Local Council Development Area, LCDA, of Lagos State, had suddenly collapsed, killing nine persons. It, indeed, brought an unending nightmare to scores of families, friends and well-wishers.

A statement by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) noted that after the rescue operations were concluded at the site, 27 persons were saved and taken to hospital for treatment.

“Twenty-seven persons were rescued alive through coordinated efforts by the LASEMA Response Team, sister agencies, and members of the community.

“Victims received immediate pre-hospital care from LASAMBUS and were transferred to nearby hospitals for further treatment,” the statement from LASEMA Head of Public Affairs, Afolabi Olawale, read.

“Nine fatalities recovered, including four adults confirmed dead before responders’ arrival, and five additional victims, including a two-year-old baby girl.

“All deceased were respectfully bagged and handed over to the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit, SEHMU, for identification and onward release to families,” it added.

Giving a breakdown of the rescue activities, LASEMA said its “Director of Operations, Olanrewaju Akinsanya, and Cappa Base Coordinator, Salami, led operations on the ground.

“LASEMA’s heavy-duty excavator was deployed to augment two CCECC excavators already on site, enabling safe access to trapped victims and accelerating the operation to ground zero,” it said.

Following the incident, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) to commence immediate structural integrity assessment of adjoining buildings and enforce compliance with building codes in the area.

The incident occurred less than 24 hours after another building collapsed in Rivers State.

The Rivers State incident involved a four-storey building, still under construction along Peter Odili Road.

Several workers were trapped under debris, leading to a large-scale rescue operation involving emergency agencies and security personnel.

Three persons were rescued and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Indeed, incidents of building collapse have become so rampant in the country.

The situation has become worse such that a person who wakes up hale and hearty in the morning and leaves for work may not return home alive.