A renowned Nigerian architect, Dr Olanrewaju Towry-Coker, has said that the seven-storey building, which collapsed in the Banana Island area of Lagos State on Wednesday, was designed by unknown ‘architects’ and ‘engineers’ and being built by ‘unknown’ persons!
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According to Lagos State Government, preliminary investigations revealed that the building collapsed as a result of a concrete mixer truck that rammed into some load-bearing columns of the building.
Towry-Coke who visited the site of the collapsed building on Thursday said there was no way the load-bearing columns could support the structure, because they were too narrow in thickness.
He wondered how this could be possible in Lagos Island which, he noted, has been construction hub since the 1800’s.
“I had the rare privilege of visiting the site of the latest collapsed building in Banana Island yesterday afternoon, 13th April in order to be in a position to comment in a knowledgeable and professional manner,” the former Commissioner of Housing in Lagos under the administration of Bola Tinubu said in a statement.
“What I also noticed was the fact that, 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 construction hub since the 1800’s, still beats me.”
