– Ambode, Saraki, Buhari Pray following Ita-Faaji building collapse
A building on No. 63 Massey Street, Ita Faaji area of Lagos Island has collapsed on Wednesday killing atleast 10 persons, including 4 students, and leaving scores injured.
About 50 other persons had been pulled out of the rubble alive as of the time of going to press.
It was gathered that the three-storey building, which housed a school, Ohen Nursery and Primary School, and residential apartments, caved in around 10am.
Rescue equipment from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency had been deployed to the site.
Reacting to the news, Senate President and Chairman of Nigeria’s 8th National Assembly, Bukola Saraki said a prayer for those affected:
“My heartfelt prayers are with all the families affected by today’s building collapse in the Ita-Faaji area of Lagos Island, particularly the young school children who are reportedly trapped inside. I pray for their safe rescue.”
My heartfelt prayers are with all the families affected by today’s building collapse in the Ita-Faaji area of Lagos Island, particularly the young school children who are reportedly trapped inside. I pray for their safe rescue. https://t.co/ysTE8s7M2V
— Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) March 13, 2019
The incumbent Governor of Lagos state Akinwunmi Ambode also prayed saying:
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives in the collapse of a building in Lagos Island today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost loved ones in this unfortunate incident.”
I am deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives in the collapse of a building in Lagos Island today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost loved ones in this unfortunate incident. pic.twitter.com/JFhmhr98On
— Akinwunmi Ambode (@AkinwunmiAmbode) March 13, 2019
Nigerian President and winner of the 2019 Presidential election, Muhammadu Buhari also said a prayers for the families affected, expressing sadness:
“I’m extremely saddened by the news of the collapsed building in Itafaaji area of Lagos. It touches one to lose precious lives in any kind of mishap, particularly those so young and tender. May God grant everyone affected by this sad incident fortitude and succour.”
He further charged Lagos state government “to do all that is needful, so that such tragic developments do not recur.”
Update on Ita-Faaji Building Collapse
Lagos State Government has disclosed that the collapsed three-storey building on Massey Street caved in due to addition of more structures on existing building.
The State Government added that the building, which was marked as distressed in 2017, experienced foundation failure when the bearing capacity of the soil could not sustain the added structures on the building. General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) Olalekan Shodeinde, Wednesday, disclosed that occupants of the building had been evacuated two years ago.
Shodeinde hinted that but few months ago, the recalcitrant owner renovated the building, added more structures and let it out without carrying out thorough engineering appraisal and integrity test on the structure.
