The Lagos State Government has made public the findings of the panel formed to look into the circumstances surrounding the lift accident that claimed the life of Dr Vwaere Diaso, a doctor at the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island.
In a press release issued on Sunday night, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Olumide Sogunle, stated that the Lagos State Government had already taken some initial actions in response to the panel’s recommendations, including the suspension of the general manager of the Lagos State Infrastructure and Asset Management Agency and the firing and blacklisting of the lift facility managers.
Sogunle, pointing out that the lift that crashed was installed brand-new in 2021, refuted claims that it had been experiencing problems since 2020.
He stated:
“Elevator experts working with the Lagos Safety Commission have carried out an initial inspection and will be removing the elevator for further mechanical examination to determine why the safety features that should prevent this kind of accident did not work. Their findings will determine if we have a case with the elevator installer.”
In response to the state government’s actions, Sogunle stated:
“Based on our initial findings the Lagos State Government has taken the following actions: We have sacked and blacklisted the facility managers; the GM of Lagos State Infrastructure and Asset Management Agency is to immediately proceed on suspension.
“The operations and line of reporting of the facility managers have been restructured to involve the hospital management directly; we have handed the installation and maintenance contractors to the police for further investigation and likely prosecution if they are found culpable. The police will also investigate anyone else that might be negligent.
“Engineers are working to unravel why all the safety devices of the elevator failed at the same time; all our staff are fully insured. We have informed our life insurance providers about this incident; the Lagos Safety Commission has been directed to immediately carry out an audit of all elevators in public offices. This is besides the usual safety arrangements that have always existed.”
cc: Punch Ng
