Owner of collapsed building got approval to construct only 15 floors, but he went on to build 21 floors

The owner of the collapsed 21-storey Gerrard Terraces building in Ikoyi was given the approval to construct only 15 floors but he ended up building a 21-story building.

The General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Mr Gbolahan Oki, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Oki said that the owner of the property has been arrested and would face the law because people have died in the disaster.

Oki said: “He got approval for a 15-story building and he exceeded his limit. I am on the ground here and the materials he used are so inferior and terrible.

“The materials he used, the reinforcement, are so terrible. He got approval for 15 floors but built 21.

“I think he has been locked down. He has been arrested before now.”

At least 50 people are reportedly trapped under the rubble of the collapsed building.