*As site engineer, others declared wanted
The Lagos State Government has revealed how the developer of the seven-storey structure that collapsed in the early hours of Sunday on Oba Idowu Oniru Street, near Palace Road in Oniru, “chased away State officials at different times”.
It was also gathered the State Government has ordered the arrest of the developer and building professionals working on the seven-storey structure.
“This will ensure that construction works are carried out in conformity with the approval granted,” Commissioner for Physical Planning, Idris Salako told reporters during his visit to the scene.
Quest Times earlier reported that two bodies were recovered by emergency responders and taken to the morgue; the search for more bodies and possible survivors continues.
Mr Salako also claimed that the site had been sealed three times but the owner shunned warnings and resumed work.
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“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 get the necessary planning permit and the prerequisite authorisation before the start of 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 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.