Oniru building collapse: ‘Developer chased us away’ – Lagos official suggests owner powerful
The Oniru building collapse has once again brought to light the Lagos government’s apparent laxity in enforcement of the laws governing construction.
Early on Sunday morning, a seven-story building that was near Palace Road in Oniru collapsed on Oba Idowu Oniru Street.
Two bodies have already been recovered and taken to the morgue by emergency responders; the search for more bodies and possible survivors continues.
Idris Salako, Commissioner for Physical Planning, revealed at the scene how the developer chased away State officials at various times.
According to Salako, the site had been sealed three times, but the owner ignored the warnings and resumed work.
“We have a developer that is hostile and who contravenes the law of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning, 2019, as amended”, he said.
The commissioner confirmed that he did not obtain the required planning permit and authorization before beginning construction.
“Several times, the officers of the Lagos State Building Control Agency visited this site and the attitude of the contractor has been that of hostility,” he said.
Salako added that the owner has been using his personal security to stop them from carrying performing their job.
“The developer has been dropping names any time our officers visit the place; we have sealed the site three times and he kept breaking the seal,” he added.
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