The death toll in the collapsed 21-storey building in Ikoyi area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria has reached 44, the state government said on Sunday.
A statement issued by Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso on Sunday said one more body was evacuated from the debris on Saturday, bringing the total to 43 deaths.
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Omotoso added that 15 survivors had been rescued so far, while 49 people had reported that their loved ones were missing.
In his words: ‘Two more body has been recovered from the site of the collapsed 21-storey building in Ikoyi, Lagos. The body, which was recovered on Saturday, has brought the number of bodies retrieved from the rubble to 43.’
‘There are 15 survivors and 49 persons have reported that their loved ones are missing. At the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), Yaba, the identification of bodies continues.’
‘Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, once again, commiserates with the families of those who died in the incident.’
According to Farinloye, the Federal Government’s deployment of the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers to assist in the rescue operation on Sunday evening was turned down by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Bamgbose Martins, on ground that the work was almost over.
‘Further to the deployment of Disaster Response Unit (DRU) on the first day of the incident, the FG directed the Army Corps of Engineers to assist in the operation. The Head of Army Corps Of Engineers, Brig.-Gen. Omali on arrival was received by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) who introduced the team to Lagos State Commissioners for Special Duties and Physical Planning.’
‘The Corps Engineers’ team explained that a directive from Abuja directed the corps to deploy equipment to assist in carting away the rubble.’
‘The Commissioner for Special Duties in response informed the team that the work is almost over and what was on ground was enough to complete the work left,’ Farinloye said.
The Federal Government directed the Army Engineers to deploy equipment to the site and assist in removing the rubble but the Commissioner informed the team that resources on ground were enough to complete the job left.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
