September 5, 2022

The Lagos State Government has ordered arrest of the developer and building professionals working on the 7-floor structure that collapsed under construction in the early hours of Sunday at Oba Abiodun Oniru Road in Iru/Victoria Island area of the State.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, spoke during his visit to the site of the building collapse, saying that the developer and professionals violated the planning laws of the State by embarking on the construction without a valid Planning Permit and ignoring official warnings to halt the building project.

He emphasised that under no circumstance should anyone construe the filling of Application for Permit through the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) as a ticket to commence construction.

“There must be a valid Planning Permit from the aforementioned agency, in addition to letter of Authorisation, Stage inspection at every milestone and certification by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), to ensure that construction works were carried out in conformity with the approval granted”, the Commissioner said.

Disclosing that investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the building collapse, Salako said the Police is on the trail of the developer and all professionals involved in the project such as architects, builders and engineers.

The Commissioner expressed concern at the level of disregard for the law in the built sector, affirming that the State Government will restore sanity and orderliness to the sector because it has zero tolerance for building collapse.

He enjoined Lagosians to join hands with the State Government in maintaining vigilance in the built environment by reporting any untoward developments in their vicinity, through any of the Ministry or State Government communication channels, particularly the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPP&UD App) and the Lagos State Building Control Agency.