The Lagos State Government is set to commence the prosecution of suspects linked to the collapse of a five – story building on Tuesday, March 8, 2016, in Lekki, Lagos, which led to the death of 30 persons.
A press release issued and signed by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, stated that the State Government has concluded all legal preparations and is ready to prosecute the nine suspects deemed culpable in the collapse of the building.
The statement reads: “Following the conclusion of investigation by the Nigeria Police Force and technical reports of relevant experts, the Office of the Attorney-General has concluded its Legal Advice and decided to prosecute the suspects for failure to obtain Planning Permit contrary to the provisions of the State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, and Involuntary Manslaughter contrary to the provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 respectively.”
It reiterated the commitment of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration to protecting the lives and property of its citizens and assured the general public that it would leave no stone unturned to ensure that criminal negligence and any form of crime is duly brought to book.
News Express reports that on Tuesday 8th March, 2016 at about 05:00hrs, a property being built by Messrs. Lekki Gardens Estate Limited and Get Too Rich Investment Limited, also known as Horizon 1 Extension, House H15, Lekki, Lagos State, collapsed claiming the lives of 30 people.
But why are they still building with cinder blocks in this day and age, especially big and multi level structures as in a five story building like this one that collapsed and many others. At what point in time the authorities going to pivot from the old and antiquated styles of erecting structures, which would ultimately save money, and most importantly save lives. Steel structures with correct gauges will not buckle, and are much more efficient than these loads of cinder blocks that no one can absolutely guarantee the quality integrity. The blocks are produced in Nigeria, and we know what that means.
Just way too many building structures coming down of late out there in the country, it shouldn’t continue like that.