The Deputy Governor of Lagos, Obafemi Hamzat says the collapsed Ikoyi building was sealed four months ago over anomalies.
Hamzat said the Lagos State Building Control Agency( LASBCA) sealed the premises for four months when some ‘anomalies’ were observed.
During the visit to the site on Tuesday, the deputy governor said the approval plan for the building was issued about three years ago.
While speaking with newsmen, he said he cannot ascertain the number of the people inside the building , saying that two rescued victims gave two conflicting figures- 24 and 28 of the number of persons.
“We are not sure of the number of people inside there. It is not a residential building yet. it is not that we have tenants or a list of people,” he said.
“As a matter of fact, if you are aware, this location was sealed for about four months sometimes ago. It was sealed because our agency came in to do structural tests and saw some anomalies. So they shut it down for those things to be corrected.
“The second building will also be audited in terms of integrity test, and of course, if we find anything, then the appropriate action will be taken.”
On Monday the 21 storey building collapsed, leaving many trapped in the rubble.
Hamzat said the collapsed building got approval for 15 storey and not 21 as earlier said by Gbolahan Oki, general manager, LASBCA.
As at the time of filing this report, 10 persons have died and nine others rescued during the operation to save victims trapped in the rubble.
