Lagos Govt says he got approval to construct 15 floors, not 21.
The General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, Gbolahan Oki, has said that the owner of the collapsed 21-storey building which was under construction in Ikoyi, was not given approval to construct 21 floors but 15.
Mr Oki told the News Agency of Nigeria on telephone that the owner of the property has been arrested and would face the law because people have died in the disaster.
However, there is also a report that the owner was in the structure when it collapsed and might be among the people trapped in the rubble.
“He got an approval for a 15-storey building and he exceeded his limit. I am on ground here and the materials he used are so inferior and terrible.
“The materials he used, the reinforcement, are so terrible. He got approval for 15 floors but built 21.
“I think he has been locked down. He has been arrested before now,” he said.
The GM said four people were rescued alive and three people died, adding that rescue efforts were still ongoing.
“We are still here and have four machines working as at this moment,” he told NAN.
At least 50 people are reportedly trapped under the rubble after a 21-storey building collapsed in Ikoyi, Lagos State.
The building, located at 20, Gerrard Road, collapsed at about 3 p.m. on Monday.