The Lagos State government on Wednesday said no order was given on the demolition of the remaining two high-rise buildings standing at the site of the 21-storey building which collapsed in the Ikoyi area of the state.
This was made known in a statement issued by Gbenga Omotoso, the state Commissioner for Information, on Wednesday.
According to the statement, integrity tests have not yet been conducted on the two buildings still standing.
The statement read: “Contrary to speculations, no order has been given for the demolition of the two high-rise buildings standing at the site of the 21-storey collapsed building in Ikoyi, Lagos.
“The Panel of Inquiry created to establish issues surrounding the collapse of the building has continued to sit. The integrity test is yet to be conducted on the buildings. It is, therefore, wrong to assert or speculate that the buildings will be demolished.
“The operation at the site of the collapsed building continues and vehicular movement around the site has been smooth, following the reopening of the road.
“Two more bodies were recovered from the site today. The recovery of the two bodies has brought to 45 the number of bodies retrieved from the site.
“The identification of victims bodies in the incident at IDH, Yaba, Lagos Mainland is still ongoing.
“While thirty-two families have come forward to submit samples for DNA to identify bodies that they wish to claim.”
“However, in cases where identification are clear and there are no arguments, the bodies will be released to the families.
“A committee to supervise the identification and release of the bodies has begun work and this comprises of senior officials in the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Justice.”
A total of 45 persons are said to have now died as a result of the incident, while 15 persons survived and are receiving treatment.
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