Video: Govt seals collapsed restaurant building in Ibadan, begins probe

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Oyo State Government has sealed off a collapsed building under construction belonging to a popular restaurant in the Dugbe area of Ibadan, following safety concerns.

Video link: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/15f59XsLAa/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Commissioner for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Williams Akin-Funmilayo, announced the decision after an on-the-spot assessment of the site.

Akin-Funmilayo explained that the move was geared toward safeguarding lives and property, as well as allowing a thorough investigation into the incident.

Akin-Funmilayo stated that preliminary findings suggest that substandard and low-quality materials were used in the construction of the building.

He further revealed that an integrity test would be conducted not only on the collapsed structure but also on other branches of the restaurant across the state.

He said the outcome of the tests would guide the government’s next steps.

He said, “Earlier this morning, the message got to me that there was a building collapse at Dugbe, and we came over here to see things for ourselves. We thank God that there is no loss of life.

“After seeing the extent of the collapse, we decided that it had to be sealed off because we have to prevent loss of life.

“Professionals from the Ministry of Works would have to come and carry out an integrity test, after which the report would advise us on the next action to be taken on the property.

“If they can continue, we will let them know, and if it has to be totally brought down, we will let them know as well.

“From what we have seen, substandard materials were used, and this has also been corroborated by our professionals from the Ministry of Works. The Director of Public Buildings has equally looked at it and confirmed it.

“However, we will still go for an integrity test so that absolute professionalism can be ensured and the result thereafter will determine the next action we will take.

“There is an approval for the design. The building has been in existence before, but there is a renovation coming up. From the information made available to me, there is a company trying to have an outlet here, and they are the people trying to do the renovation. But we never expected what actually happened.

“In addition, this outlet belongs to a popular eatery outfit. I believe the same Engineer doing this place handled the other outlets they have in Ibadan and other cities. But, for this to have happened, it means that we have to carry out an integrity test on all their buildings.

“If we find out that the other outlets fail the integrity test, we will bring them down, because we cannot afford to toy with the lives of our people.”