Ikoyi building collapse: Panel gives ultimatum for submission of memoranda

IBRAHIM QUADRI

The Lagos State Tribunal of Inquiry set up to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the collapsed 21-storey building at Gerrard Road in Ikoyi on Monday gave Wednesday 24th November as deadline for the submission of memoranda by members of the public and relevelant stakeholders.

The Chairman of the panel, TPl. Toyin Ayinde gave the ultimatum during a press conference at LASWA Terminal Office, Ikoyi where the 6-man team is conducting its assignment.

Ayinde disclosed that the Tribunal which was given 30 days to complete its task, began sitting immediately after the inauguration by the Governor.

Following the unfortunate incident, the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu had on 4th November inaugurated a 6-man Tribunal of Inquiry for the purpose of determining the cause(s) of the collapsed building; determine whether there was full compliance with the Physical Planning, building, building materials testing, Laws and regulations in Lagos State by the developer or by any other person.

Determining whether there was any supervisory, oversight or enforcement lapses on the part of any of the relevant regulatory authorities in the State; investigating and procuring from all listed professionals on the project their contracts of service, drawings, minutes of site meetings, schedules and all other relevant documents that may assist in the inquiry.

Investigating and conducting necessary tests on materials used for the construction of the collapsed building; obtaining and scrutinizing all project drawings and specifications filed and submitted by the Developer to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and its sister agencies for Building and Urban Development Permits/Approvals with respect to the collapsed building.

Making recommendations on how to best ensure the safety of the construction space and prevent building collapse in Lagos State, both for development of projects and to ensure an effective and efficient regulatory environment; recommending disciplinary action or prosecution of any person or corporate body found culpable, and investigating any other matters incidental to any of the Terms of Reference stated above.

The Chairman noted, “We however appeal to members of the public, professional bodies and construction industry stakeholders, as well as individuals who have useful information and invite them to submit memoranda which have direct bearing on the particular issue being investigated, as well as their recommendations to prevent future occurrence.

“The Tribunal can be reached through the email address: lagosgerrardtribunal@gmail.com This is where all memoranda, recommendations and submissions can be sent to on or before Wednesday, 24th November, 2021.”

He hinted that, “the Tribunal began formal interviews with witnesses from Tuesday, 16th November, 2021 in order to identify the roles played in the activities that led to the collapse of the building, and received the report from the consultants who conducted verticality tests on the remaining structures standing in the premises of the collapsed building. The results of the tests on the construction materials are still being awaited.

“The interviews conducted have been recorded for the purpose of record-keeping, and the Tribunal would meet as many as are willing to present credible and factual statements, with evidence(s), relating to the collapse,” Ayinde stated.

While stating the procedure for the sitting, the Chairman further disclosed, “The Tribunal would like to state that some documents have been received from some government MDA’s and members have started studying them. We have also interviewed some of the LASG staff in the relevant MDA’s.”

According to him, the activities of the Tribunal have included: setting up the Secretariat and arranging logistics for the successful conduct of activities; a visit to the site of the collapse on Friday, 5th November, for a general assessment of the rescue operations, and to determine areas where expert consultants’ services would be required and a visit to the General Hospital, Broad Street to interview some of the survivors who could offer some eyewitness accounts.

Others include, engaging the services of consultant building materials testing laboratory; engaging the services of a consultant Land Surveyor to conduct verticality tests on the remaining structures within the premises of the collapsed building; writing the relevant Government MDA’s to request for all files and documentation relating to the collapsed building; writing to all consultants and developer/contractors associated with the project on 44 B,C,D Gerrard Road, Ikoyi; and listing more than 30 stakeholders relevant to the construction industry and the collapsed building, whose views, position papers and recommendations would be received and considered.