A panel of inquiry investigating the Ikoyi collapsed building has asked the public to submit information and memoranda that can help its work.
The chairman of the panel, Toyin Ayinde, spoke yesterday while giving update on the panel’s activities since inauguration.
He said the panel had visited the site of the incident and also visited survivors in hospital to get more information.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on November 4 inaugurated the panel to probe the collapse of the 21-storey building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The panel was given 30 days to submit its report.
Ayinde, who said sitting was ongoing already, urged people with credible information of direct bearing to the collapsed building to send such to lagosgerrardtribunal@gmail. com on or before November 24.
He added: “The panel’s terms of reference include to determine cause(s) of the collapse of the 21-storey building under construction, whether there was full compliance with the physical planning, building, building materials testing, laws and regulations in Lagos State.
“To determine whether there were supervisory, oversight or enforcement lapses on the part of any of the relevant regulatory authorities in the state.
“Others are investigating and procuring from all listed professionals on the project their contracts of service, drawings, minutes of site meetings, schedules and other relevant documents that may assist in the inquiry; investigating and conducting necessary tests on materials used for the construction of the collapsed building.
“The panel is also expected to make recommendations on how to best ensure safety of the construction space and prevent building collapse in the state, both for development of projects and to ensure an effective and efficient regulatory environment; just as it will recommend disciplinary actions or prosecution of any person or corporate body found culpable.”
The panel began formal interview of witnesses on November 16 to identify the roles played in the events that led to the collapse of the building. It also received reports from the consultants who conducted verticality tests on the remaining structures standing on the premises of the collapsed building. Results of the tests on the construction materials are still being expected.
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