Involve only professionals in building construction to avoid another Ikoyi tragedy – Senator Ahmed Lawan

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan on Tuesday charged various stakeholders and professional bodies in the construction industry to ensure that only qualified professionals are involved in the building of structures across the country.

Lawan’s charge followed last week’s collapse of a 21-storey building along Gerard Road in Ikoyi area of Lagos State,

In his remarks on a point of order raised by Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC Lagos Central) on the tragedy where many lives were lost, he sought more participation of Nigerian professionals in the design and execution of projects to ensure prudence, efficiency and effectiveness in the deployment of resources.

The Senate President also commiserated with the victims and described the incident as one collapse too many, not only in Lagos but in other parts of the country.

Senator Tinubu while drawing the attention of her colleagues to the disaster, lamented that it has claimed about 44 lives so far, adding that about 16 people have been rescued alive while the rescue efforts are still ongoing.

The Senate has observed a minute silence in honour of victims of the ill-fated 21-storey building collapse.

Many people are reportedly still trapped in the rubble of the building which crumbled to the ground around 2pm on the fateful day when workers were on site.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu had since ordered an investigation into the incident, adding that a report of the probe would be made public.

He has also directed the indefinite suspension of the General Manager of Lagos State Building Control Agency, Gbolahan Oki from office due to the ugly incident.