Collapsed Banana Island building designed by unknown architects, engineers, says Dr Towry-Coker

Collapsed Banana Island building designed by unknown architects, engineers, says Dr Towry-Coker 

Revelations are beginning to emerge concerning last Wednesday’s seven-storey building collapse in Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos which claimed one life.

One of such was from a renowned Nigerian architect, Dr Olanrewaju Towry-Coker who claimed the building was designed by unknown ‘architects’ and ‘engineers’ and being built by ‘unknown’ persons.

Dr Coker, a former Commissioner of Housing in Lagos during the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration who visited the site of the collapsed building on Thursday said the building came down because the reinforced concrete columns were too narrow to support the entirety of the building.

READ ALSO: Body recovered from Banana Island building collapse after two days

He said, “I had the rare privilege of visiting the site of the latest collapsed building in Banana Island yesterday afternoon, 13th April in order to be in a position to comment in a knowledgeable and professional manner.

“What I also noticed was the fact that, there was no way, the reinforced concrete columns, could support the seven storey, structure because they were just too narrow in thickness, and it was obvious to a trained eye that they were already beginning to show signs of buckling!

“I looked for the names of the design team on a signboard and, all I saw was a name on a site lift, which was apparently the name of the company as well as the contractor who was also the ‘architect’ and ‘engineer’.

“In other words, the project was designed by unknown ‘architects’ and ‘engineers’ and being built by ‘unknown’ persons.

“How this can be possible in Lagos Island which has been construction hub since the 1800’s, still beats me.”

It would be recalled after the incident, the Lagos state government had ordered that all developments in the area be placed on hold.

Meanwhile, Towry-Coker, an elected Fellow of The Royal Institute of British Architects commended the move by the state adding that it will help to prevent future occurrence of building collapse in the area.

He said the move would determine how many buildings are being constructed without approval from the state government; and “If all approved buildings are being built in line with the approval limits provided”.

“I applaud the decision of the Lagos State Government in enforcing a blanket ban on all construction activities in Banana Island, till a proper inventory is made of all high rise buildings.

“This is not only a very prudent approach, but it’ll also help to prevent further building collapse on the Island, as competent and experienced structural engineer members of the National professional body, are brought in to assist in the assessment.

“This was my public recommendation after the collapse of the Four Score building in Ikoyi, less thanCollapsed Banana Island building designed by unknown architects, engineers, says Dr Towry-Coker

Revelations have begin to emerge concerning last Wednesday’s seven-storey building collapse in Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos which claimed one life.

One of such was from a renowned Nigerian architect, Dr Olanrewaju Towry-Coker who claimed the building was designed by unknown ‘architects’ and ‘engineers’ and being built by ‘unknown’ persons.

Dr Coker, a former Commissioner of Housing in Lagos during the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration who visited the site of the collapsed building on Thursday said the building came down because the reinforced concrete columns were too narrow to support the entirety of the building.

He said, “I had the rare privilege of visiting the site of the latest collapsed building in Banana Island yesterday afternoon, 13th April in order to be in a position to comment in a knowledgeable and professional manner.

“What I also noticed was the fact that, there was no way, the reinforced concrete columns, could support the seven storey, structure because they were just too narrow in thickness, and it was obvious to a trained eye that they were already beginning to show signs of buckling.

“I looked for the names of the design team on a signboard and, all I saw was a name on a site lift, which was apparently the name of the company as well as the contractor who was also the ‘architect’ and ‘engineer’

“In other words, the project was designed by unknown ‘architects’ and ‘engineers’ and being built by ‘unknown’ persons.

“How this can be possible in Lagos Island which has been construction hub since the 1800’s, still beats me.”

It would be recalled after the incident, the Lagos state government had ordered that all developments in the area be placed on hold.

Meanwhile, Towry-Coker, an elected Fellow of The Royal Institute of British Architects commended the move by the state adding that it will help to prevent future occurrence of building collapse in the area.

He said the move would determine how many buildings are being constructed without approval from the state government; and “If all approved buildings are being built in line with the approval limits provided”.

“I applaud the decision of the Lagos State Government in enforcing a blanket ban on all construction activities in Banana Island, till a proper inventory is made of all high rise buildings.

“This is not only a very prudent approach, but it’ll also help to prevent further building collapse on the Island, as competent and experienced structural engineer members of the National professional body, are brought in to assist in the assessment.

“This was my public recommendation after the collapse of the Four Score building in Ikoyi, less than two years ago,” he added.