Ikoyi building collapse: Senate asks NEMA to provide support for survivors, victims’ families

The senate has asked the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide support to survivors of the building collapse in Ikoyi, Lagos state.

The upper legislative chamber called on NEMA to provide assistance after Oluremi Tinubu, senator representing Lagos central, sponsored a motion on Tuesday.

Last week, a 12-storey building, located in Ikoyi, collapsed leaving a number of people trapped in the rubble.

After search-and-rescue efforts for days, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos governor, on Saturday said 42 people lost their lives in the incident.

“Now, we have a total of 42 bodies that have been recovered. We have nine survivors. However, there are additional six people that we have also been able to identify; they were on site,” Sanwo-Olu had said.

While moving her motion, Tinubu described the incident as a “disaster” that could not be overlooked.

“This is a disaster and it cannot be overlooked,” the senator said.

On his part, Senate President Ahmad Lawan said the professional building institutions in the country must ensure that only quality structures are approved.

“Let me commiserate with the people of Lagos state, particularly the families,” Lawan said.

“The institutions, professional bodies, should ensure that only quality structures are approved. This is not the first time this has happened in Lagos and across the country.”