National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said seven persons have been rescued from the collapsed building in the Banana Island, Ikoyi area of Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria.
Gatekeepers News earlier reported that the seven-storey building under construction at First Avenue Banana Island, Ikoyi collapsed on Wednesday but no lives were lost.
The Lagos Territorial Coordinator of the agency, Ibrahim Farinloye, while giving an update on the incident said apart from the rescued victims, one person was rushed to a hospital where he is being treated.
Farinloye said, “We started moving from one layer to another and during this emergency response, we were able to rescue seven people alive.
“Those people that were rescued were treated on the spot and discharged. It is the only one that was taken to a private hospital where he is receiving adequate treatment.”
While hailing the emergency responders for their swiftness, the NEMA chief assured that the agency won’t leave any stone unturned to ensure that “nobody is left there and the job is being done professionally”.
He noted that holistic investigations will be carried out on other buildings on the construction site.
At the site, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Mobolaji Ogunlende said, “The Lagos State government has swung into action. We are ensuring that some tests will be done by some engineers.
“We have all our agencies here – LASBCA, Ministry of Physical Planning, and others – doing what they are supposed to do professionally. Once that is done, we would be able to ascertain the current status and the next step would be taken.”
Earlier, the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Engr. Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, called for calm, stating that the Ministry would update the public further about the incident.
The Ministry in a statement said, “We ask members of the public to remain calm and expect further information from the Ministry.”
Meanwhile, experts have attributed the situation to several factors including poor quality materials, and unprofessionalism among others.
