Elevator tragedy: Lagos sacks facility managers, suspends LASIAMA GM

The Lagos government has sacked and blacklisted the facility managers in charge of the Lagos Island General Hospital, Odan following the death of Vwaere Diaso, a medical doctor, in an elevator accident.

The decision was part of the resolutions of the panel set up to look into the likely causes of the accident, identify persons who might be culpable, and suggest ways of preventing any future occurrence.

The government also said the general manager of the Lagos State Infrastructure and Asset Management Agency (LASIAMA) has been asked to immediately proceed on suspension.

BACKGROUND

Last Tuesday, the elevator of the hospital fell from the 10th floor of the building and caused the death of Diaso, who was undertaking horsemanship at the healthcare facility.

The deceased was said to be inside the elevator on her way to the ground floor to pick up a delivery from a dispatch rider when the accident occurred.

The elevator was said to have been previously faulty, and staff had complained about it.

The incident sparked outrage after which the Lagos government instituted a panel to investigate the elevator accident.

‘HOSPITAL HAD BLOOD SAMPLES’

In a statement on Sunday, the Lagos government said the panel constituted to investigate the incident has submitted its report.

The panel denied the claim that the hospital had no blood samples to administer to Diaso before her death.

“It is important to state that blood samples for cross-matching had not been taken and there had not been a request for blood at the time CPR commenced; it is not true that blood was not available,” the statement reads.

“The state has a strong network of screening centres where blood is available. Besides, there is a register of voluntary donors who can be mobilised at very short notice.”

DECISIONS TAKEN

The Lagos government said the installation and maintenance contractors have been handed over to the police for further investigation and likely prosecution.

Also, the Lagos State Safety Commission is mandated to carry out an audit of all elevators in public offices.

“It is also important to state that the elevator that crashed was installed brand new in 2021,” the statement reads.

“Elevator experts working with the Lagos Safety Commission have carried out an initial inspection and will be removing the elevator for further mechanical examination to determine why the safety features that should prevent this kind of accident did not work.

“Their findings will determine if we have a case with the elevator installer.

“We have handed the installation and maintenance contractors to the police for further investigation and likely prosecution if they are found culpable.

“The police will also investigate anyone else that might have been found to be negligent. Engineers are working to unravel why all the safety devices of the elevator failed at the same time.

“All our staff are fully insured. We have informed our life insurance providers about this incident.”