Renowned architect, Dr Olanrewaju Towry-Coker has applauded the decision of the Lagos State Government in enforcing a blanket ban on all construction activities in Banana Island, till a proper inventory is made of all high rise buildings.
In a release he issued Friday, Towry-Coker said “This is not only a very prudent approach, but it will also help to prevent further building collapse on the Island, as competent and experienced structural engineer members of the National professional body, are brought in to assist in the assessment.
“This was my public recommendation after the collapse of the Four Score building in Ikoyi, less than two years ago”.
Towry-Coker. PhD, is an internationally renowned architect, who was elected a Fellow of The Royal Institute of British Architects in 2016, and remains the only Nigerian architect ever, to have been elected to the level of Fellow of the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects.
He is also the holder of an MA Law degree from the University of Law, Bloomsbury Campus in the United Kingdom, and a published author of the book :”Housing Policy and Housing Delivery in Nigeria; Lagos state as a Case Study.”
He said he had the rare privilege of visiting the site of the latest collapsed building in Banana Island on Thursday and said he discovered there was no way, the reinforced concrete columns, could support the seven storey, structure “because they were just too narrow in thickness, and it was obvious to a trained eye that they were already beginning to show signs of buckling
“I looked for the names of the design team on a signboard and, all I saw was a name on a site lift, which was apparently the name of the company as well as the contractor who was also the ‘architect’ and ‘engineer’!
“In other words, the project was designed by unknown ‘architects’ and ‘engineers’ and being built by ‘unknown’ persons!”.
“How this can be possible in Lagos Island which has been a construction hub since the 1800’s, still beats me.
Sources:Nationalmonitor
