Sanwo-Olu gets kudos on Ikoyi Building Collapse White Paper

*Ikeja GRA residents hail  the governor  for rehabilitating, upgrading roads

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has been applauded for his “forthrightness and sincerity” in adopting the recommendations of the six-man panel set up to examine the Ikoyi building collapse. The 21-storey structure went down on November 1, last year.

During a telephone interview with the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, on the 99.3FM radio programme “Daily Digest”, host Jimi Disu acknowledged that it took courage for Mr. Governor to adopt 26 of the 28 recommendations of the six-man panel.

Saluting Mr. Governor’s “courage”, Disu said, “We are not oblivious of the kind of pressure he must have gone through. If we lesser mortals have gone through so much pressure over the issue, then we must give him credit for doing this”.

Callers on the programme also praised Mr. Sanwo-Olu for not sweeping the matter under the carpet. They encouraged him to ensure that it is followed up till the end.

Responding to questions about compensation to families of those who died in the incident, Omotoso said all those who evacuated bodies of their loved ones and asked for assistance were given money for transportation and funeral.  Nobody, according to him, has come out to say he or she lost money in the incident.

Omotoso said: “The law has no room for such compensation, but if you’re talking about doing this on compassionate grounds, I know Mr. Governor as a compassionate leader.  If other people also put up a case for assistance with verifiable documentation, I am sure it is something that Mr. Governor may consider”.

On those doubting if indeed those indicted will be prosecuted, the Commissioner said Attorney-General Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) had been directed by Governor Sanwo-Olu to ensure that those found guilty of compromising the process of adherence to quality standards at the Foreshore Towers in Ikoyi are prosecuted.

Speaking further, Omotoso disclosed that the State Government was already fashioning out ways of collaboration with the private sector to strengthen monitoring and enforcement activities in the built sector in response to one of the recommendations of the panel on lack of adequate personnel to monitor building projects across the State.

 He gave an assurance that all those found culpable in the process leading to the Foreshore Tower collapse, especially civil servants, will face sanctions.

Ikeja  GRA residents hail  the Governor for rehabilitating, upgrading roads

Also, residents of Ikeja GRA in Lagos State have commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his administration for rehabilitating and upgrading major roads in Oduduwa Crescent, Oduduwa Way, Sobo Arobiodu and other inner roads in their community. 

They said the decision of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s government to rehabilitate roads within Ikeja GRA, will eradicate the hardship that people pass through while plying roads within the community.

Speaking during a visit to Ikeja GRA on Thursday, some residents commended the ongoing rehabilitation of roads in the area, noting that the progress of work has reached advanced stage, giving the residents some succour way ahead of the rainy season.

Alhaji Muri Akanmu, who has been living in Ikeja GRA since 1977, said they are happy with the ongoing rehabilitation of the roads.

“The rehabilitation of the roads is good. We like what the government is doing here and when they finish it, things will be okay. At one point, Joel Ogunnaike Road was very bad but after they fixed it, people now enjoy the road. Governor Sanwo-Olu is doing very well and we are happy that his administration is rehabilitating roads in GRA Ikeja.

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is doing very well and he has been doing positive things in the areas of transportation and road construction. I am part of those who voted him into the office and I am happy he didn’t disappoint me,” he said.   

Tobiloba Oyewole, who has been working in Ikeja GRA in the last five years, said she is happy with the ongoing rehabilitation work and implored Lagos State Government to continue with the road construction in more parts of the area, noting that when there are good roads, people will live a comfortable life, get to the office on time and go home on time.

She said prior to Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration intervention on the roads, people had challenges passing through the roads. Oyewole said there were companies that closed operations or relocated from GRA due to bad roads, while some vehicles stopped plying Oduduwa Crescent, therefore forcing people to trek long distances.

“When this road is completed, there will be no dust. When the whole dry season is over, there will be no dust. We can come to the office comfortably and go home with our fine shoes. It is going to bring in more business to the environment because people like working in a good environment. Property in this area will sell more and we will get more people visiting the area. It will better the lives of people,” she said. 

Another resident of Ikeja GRA, Mr. Ayuba Akibu said: “Governor Sanwo-Olu has done well because we have been expecting this for a while now. It is a good thing. He is doing excellently well in this area. The workers are working every day. He should keep it up. I pray that God will continue to bless him. The road is a busy place and with the work going on, people would benefit more from the road.”