Chairman of the Panel, Mr Toyin Ayinde, and other members during the news briefing
The panel of Inquiry on the collapsed 21 storey building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi has called on members of the public to submit Memoranda with direct bearing on the incident.
The Chairman of the Panel, Toyin Ayinde made the call in Ikoyi, while briefing newsmen on the activities of the panel which was inaugurated on the 3rd of this month by the Lagos State Government.
The 21-floor structure at 44 B,C,D Gerrard road, Ikoyi had collapsed on the 1st of November, trapping an unknown number of persons, including the owner.
Mr Ayinde said the panel began sitting on the 4th of this month and started conducting formal interviews on Tuesday the 16th, including with those rescued from the rubble and staff of relevant government agencies.
According to him, the panel’s sitting has been in line with the term of reference given to it, with thirty days to complete its assignment.
Mr Ayinde urged those with relevant information to submit same before or on the 24th of this month.
“The interviews conducted have been recorded for the purpose of record-keeping, and the Tribunal would meet as many as are willing to present credible and factual statements, with evidence(s), relating to the collapse,” he stressed.
“We however appeal to members of the public, professional bodies and construction industry stakeholders, as well as individuals who have useful information and invite them to submit memoranda which have direct bearing on the particular issue being investigated, as well as their recommendations to prevent future occurrence,” he added.
Even as he disclosed the Tribunal’s email address as lagosgerrardtribunal@gmail.com Mr Ayinde said a number of documents had so far been received. He announced the services of consultants, including material testing and surveyors.
The panel Chairman said subsequently, press releases would be issued whenever the panel has any information to share with the public.
Reporting by Omolara Omosanya, editing by Daniel Adejo