The Lagos State government is set to commence the demolition of the two remaining structures at the site of the Ikoyi collapsed twenty-one storey building at 20, Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The planned demolition of the remaining structures was announced by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr Tayo Bamgbose-Martins at a stakeholders meeting held at the Parkview Astoria Hotel, Ikoyi on Tuesday.
Fifty-two persons were confirmed dead, while many others were injured in the building that collapsed on the 1st of November, 2021.
Mr. Bamigbose-Martins in his opening remark stated that the State government had decided to use a non-explosive method to bring down the two remaining structures to ensure the safety of the people living in the area.
He averred “We have chosen a non-explosive method, because even the word explosion has its own psychological effects and therefore, we try to avoid this, we’ve worked with the technical experts on this particular approach. It will be manually and labour intensive, but also mechanized, it will be time consuming, procedural, and it will not happen in a day, but it will be safe”.
According to the Commissioner, the process is also part of bringing closure to some of those affected by the very sad incident.
The Contractor who will be handling the demolition, Edge of Design stated that the foundation of the collapsed structure was found to be faulty and that a non-explosive method would be used to pull down the two other structures at the site piece by piece from 9am to 5pm, in a two-shifts per day, while debris would be evacuated at night to prevent traffic gridlock and hazards to those living or working in the area.
The timeline for the demolition at the site of the collapsed building is between three to six months.
Some of the concerns raised by some stakeholders, mostly residents within the neighbourhood of the incident and those whose business premises are situated close to the site included, noise and dust management, lingering trauma from the impact of the collapsed building and possible hazards to their own structures.
While assuring the stakeholders that their concerns had been duly noted, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako said the planned demolition would have minimal impact on other structures close by and that the site would be formally handed over to the Consultant on Thursday this week.
“The concerns raised by stakeholders, especially the residents are genuine, we believe with what the Consultant has told them and what we ourselves have planned, there would be no reason for them to worry” Dr Salako asserted.
In his remarks, the convener of the stakeholders’ meeting and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu also assured the residents that their wellbeing is paramount to the Lagos State government.
“All the key stakeholders; the Lagos Safety Commission, Building Control agency, Fire and even Ambulance services, including LASEMA will be on the ground to monitor the controlled demolition, I want to assure all Lagosians, especially those living or doing business on Gerrard Road and environs to remain calm during the process, they will be safe, all safety measures will be put in place” Oke-Osanyintolu assured.
The collapsed 21-floor skyscraper, owned by Fourscore Heights Limited, trapped over 50 persons, including the firm’s Managing Director, Femi Osibona; his friend, the United States of America-based Nigerian businessman, Wale Bob-Oseni; his personal assistant, Oyinye Enekwe, and clients.
