The Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Idris Salako, has resigned following the collapse of a seven-storey building at Oba Idowu Abiodun Oniru Road, Oniru Estate on Victoria Island.
This was announced in a letter signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, on Monday.
The letter read in part, “The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has accepted the resignation of the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako.
“This is a prelude to the restructuring of the ministry and its agencies. Governor Sanwo-Olu thanks the commissioner for his services to the state and wishes him success in his future endeavours.
“The Governor warns all players in the sector to respect the law or face the consequences of any indiscretion, no matter who the perpetrators are.”
However, a source in the governor’s house told The PUNCH that the commissioner was asked to resign due to the spate of building collapses since his appointment in 2019.
“The governor asked him to tender his resignation over the instance of building collapse during the state executive council meeting held today (Monday) in order to spare him from further shame that may come due to the most recent building collapse at Oniru Estate.
“It was more honourable for him to resign than for him to be sacked. It was a decision made after careful review of his work,” the source said.
The PUNCH gathered that eight building collapses had occurred in Lagos since 2019 with no fewer than 80 lives lost in total.
Contact: theeditor[at]punchng.com
