Following the collapse of a school building in Ejigbo area of Lagos on Saturday, the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered that integrity tests be conducted on all public and private schools with three floors and above across the state.
Sanwo-Olu has also directed that the uncollapsed parts of the affected School at Iyana Ejigbo be completely pulled down.
The governor stated this while briefing journalists on issues relating to Covid-19 in Lagos, at the State House, Marina, on Saturday, saying the relevant ministries and agencies of the state government would immediately begin the integrity tests from next week.
This, he said, was to ensure that all school buildings across Lagos are confirmed safe for pupils, students and their teachers, as more schools are expected to resume in the state from Monday, September 21, 2020.
Recall that a three-storey building belonging to Excel College, Ejigbo, collapsed in the early hours of Saturday, September 19, 2020 ahead of resumption on Monday, September 21.
No casualties were recorded in the incident. The school building is located at 15, Ansarudeen, Ile Epo Bus Stop, Iyana Ejigbo.
The building which collapsed at about 8:15am was a part of a conjoined (twin) three storey building each, according to Nosa Okunbor, spokesperson of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).
The collapsed portion which was attributed to “visible distress”, has seriously affected the second wing, has visible cracks on the walls, pillars and decking of the second portion.
Available information from school officials revealed that the collapsed building had previously shown signs of distress, saying that the school authority was planning to renovate and refortify the collapsed structure.
“Distress calls received established that the building collapsed at about 8:15am.
“Information gathered from some officials of the school revealed that the building had previously shown signs of distress and the school was planning to renovate and refortify the structure.
“The three storey building has two wings conjoined, the wing that collapsed has seriously affected the second wing as visible cracks can be seen on the walls, pillars and decking.
“Fortunately, nobody was trapped, no injuries and no fatality has been recorded.
“Responders to the incident scene are LASEMA, LASBCA, the Nigeria Police Force,” said LASEMA.
