A civil society organisation, Centre for Social and Economic Rights (CSER) has commended the Lagos State government for accepting the recommendations of the Toyin Ayinde-led panel which investigated the collapse of a 21-storey building in the Ikoyi area of the state.
The building went down on November 1 last year, with about persons killed in the incident.
In a statement yesterday by CSER’s executive director, Nelson Ekujumi, the organisation commended the steadfastness, courage and sincerity of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration on the matter.
CSER also commended the Ayinde-led panel for its ”thoroughness, time consciousness and transparency in carrying out its assignment”.
Also, in a telephone interview with Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, on 99.3FM, host of “Daily Digest”, Mr Jimi Disu, said it took courage for Governor Sanwo-Olu to adopt 26 of the 28 recommendations of the six-man panel.
Disu said, “We are not oblivious of the kind of pressure he must have gone through. If we, lesser mortals, have gone through so much pressure over the issue, then we must give him credit for doing this”.
Callers on the programme also praised the governor for not sweeping the matter under the carpet. They encouraged him to ensure that it is followed up till the end.
Omotoso said all those who evacuated bodies of their loved ones and asked for assistance were given money for transportation and funeral. Nobody, according to him, has come out to say he or she lost money in the incident.
“The law has no room for such compensation, but if you’re talking about doing this on compassionate grounds, I know Mr. Governor as a compassionate leader,” Omotoso said.
He also said Governor Sanwo-Olu has directed Attorney-General Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) to ensure that those found guilty of compromising the process of adherence to quality standards at the Foreshore Towers in Ikoyi are prosecuted.
However, a pathologist, Dr Sokunle Soyemi, revealed that five deceased victims of the 21-storey building were yet to be identified.
Soyemi, who is acting Chief Medical Examiner of the state, was speaking while testifying at an Ikeja Coroner’s Court yesterday.
The pathologist said there were 50 victims of the collapsed building with 45 so far identified.