Coroner blames government agencies for Ikoyi building collapse

A coroner’s inquest has indicted government agencies for the Ikoyi building collapse.

A 21-storey building under construction on Gerard Road caved in on November 1, 2021.

Scores of people, including Femi Osibona, the developer, and a number of construction workers were killed.

On Tuesday, the Coroner, O. A. Komolafe gave the verdict on an inquest instituted by the Lagos State government, NAN reports.

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Komolafe noted that the building’s density and setback on the site showed a gross violation of the Lagos State Building Regulations.

He said the project board, which should have shown the important information, such as the names and addresses of the professionals engaged, was deliberately not provided.

Komolafe noted that the act showed that the approving and supervising agencies did not sanction the offender, suggesting that they were compromised.

The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) is in charge of monitoring structures.

The chief magistrate found that the structural failure was due to design errors.

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Komolafe said there was a lack of quality assurance/control and poor management of the project.

The coroner adopted the recommendation contained in the Council for the Regulations of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) report on the collapse.

Komolafe advised the authorities to implement the recommendations to act accordingly.