TheCable

Governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Fashola, says the state government would follow due process in the investigation of the September 12 building collapse at the Synagogue Church of Nations (SCOAN), Ikotun, Lagos.

Fashola made the statement on Monday while receiving members of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners in Ikeja.

He said the government would not yield to pressure from Nigerians demanding immediate action on the incident, but would act methodically on the issue.

Observing that most of the pronouncements made on the incident did not reflect the actual occurrence, Fashola urged people to stop making comments that could confuse the situation.

“On this issue, we are going to act methodically. We are going to act in a civilised manner. This is what we discussed at the state executive council today,” he said.

“We are not going to, without evidence, say this person has done wrong. Investigations are always painstaking and are done through scientific processes.

“This is the way that every civilised society develops. And we must assume that all the necessary provisions of law will be complied with. That is our track record here and nothing less will happen in this case.”

Fashola described NITP as the state’s “partner in progress” and assured his visitors that his administration would continue to work with the association in ending the menace of building collapse in the state.

National president of NITP, Chief Steve Onu, commended the governor for his many interventionist strides in the state, saying the association would continue collaborating with the state in the area of infrastructural planning and environmental development.

On the Synagogue building collapse, Onu urged the state government to ensure that a thorough investigation is carried out to unearth the culprits of the disaster.

“This is a good opportunity at getting insight into the incidence of building collapse and know whether it happened by technical or natural occurrence,” he said.