Lagos State wants the developer and construction workers arrested

The developer and construction workers on the seven-story building that collapsed early on Sunday at Oba Abiodun Oniru Road in the Iru/Victoria Island area of the State have been ordered to be arrested by the Lagos State Government.

During his visit to the site of the building collapse, Dr. Idris Salako, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, spoke. He claimed that the developer and professionals had broken state planning laws by starting the construction without a valid Planning Permit and by disobeying official orders to stop the project.

Under no circumstances, he emphasized, should anybody interpret submitting an application for a permit via the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) as authorization to start building.

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

Salako revealed that an investigation has been launched to ascertain the reason behind the building collapse and that the police are pursuing the developer and all professionals associated with the project, including the architects, builders, and engineers.

The State Government will bring order and sanity back to the built sector, the Commissioner promised, because it has zero tolerance for building collapse. The Commissioner expressed concern about the level of lawlessness in the sector.

Specifically mentioning the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPP&UD App) and the Lagos State Building Control Agency, he urged Lagosians to work with the State Government to maintain vigilance in the built environment by reporting any suspicious developments in their area through any of the Ministry or State Government communication channels.