The Governor of Lagos State, Babajde Sanwo-Olu has directed the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to carry out integrity tests on both public and private schools with buildings of three floors and above.
Sanwo-Olu gave the order due to the collapse of a school building in Ejigbo in the early hours of Saturday.
The directive was given at a press briefing in the state House later on Saturday as disclosed in a statement by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako.
Salako stated that it was necessary in order to ascertain the structural integrity of all school buildings above two floors with a view to preventing future occurrence in the state.
He assured that the Ministry would comply immediately with the directive so as to actualise the State Government’s aim of saving lives and property, especially as schools have been directed to resume after a long break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Salako explained further that the Ministry would soon come up with the guidelines and procedures for the integrity test on public and private schools whose buildings are within the stated range.
This directive is sequel to the collapse of a three-storey building of the Excel College, a private school in Ejigbo in the early hours of Saturday.
The school building is located at 15 Ansarudeen Street, Ile-Epo Bus Stop, Ejigbo area of Lagos.
Fortunately, nobody was trapped, no injuries and no fatality was recorded, largely due to the fact that the school had been under lock and key since March due to the COVID-19-induced restrictions.
According to the LASEMA director-general, the collapse was attributable to “visible distress”, adding that the collapsed portion affected the second wing, as shown by visible cracks on the walls, pillars and decking of the second portion.
