September 23, 2014 – Lagos State Government said on Tuesday that it has put on hold ongoing investigation on circumstances surrounding the collapsed building in Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN).
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba made the revelation at a press briefing he addressed with Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello.
He made remarks even as Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Town Planner Olutoyin Ayinde had told reporters after the incident that a team of Engineers from the Ministry and other State Government Agencies are taking samples from the foundation and materials from the wreckage of the building for detailed analysis and testing to ascertain the structural integrity of the building.
Ibirogba said that the Federal Government has set up a panel to investigate the incident and that Lagos State is represented in the panel. The commissioner who did not mention the names of Lagos State representative in the panel and the level of representation but said the state has decided to suspend further comment on the issues so as not to portray Lagos State as doing something different from what the FG is doing.
“This is what affects Nigeria, yesterday you saw nationals of other nations involved, why should we be doing things differently. We feel that the FG has set up a committee to investigate the issue”, he said.
The state government made the remarks just as South African authority has confirmed put death toll at the collapsed structure at 115.
On Monday, the South African authorities flew about 25 citizens that were injured in the incident home for treatment.
