The Lagos State Tribunal Inquiry into the collapse of a 21-storey building in the Ikoyi area of the state has said the results of the tests conducted on the construction materials are still being awaited.

The Chairman of the panel, Mr Toyin Ayinde, said this on Monday during a press conference held at the Lagos State Waterways Authority Terminal Building, Ikoyi.

He said, “The tribunal began formal interviews with witnesses from Tuesday, 16th November, 2021, in order to identify the roles played in the activities that led to the collapse of the building, and received the report from the consultants who conducted verticality tests on the remaining structures standing in the premises of the collapsed building. The results of the tests on the construction materials are still being awaited.”

Ayinde added that the panel has conducted interviews with several eyewitnesses and stakeholders and would update the public on its proceedings.

“The interviews conducted have been recorded for the purpose of record-keeping, and the tribunal would meet as many as are willing to present credible and factual statements, with evidence(s), relating to the collapse.

“The tribunal’s mode of communication would be to brief the media through press releases as and when required, so that the public may be aware of the conduct of the proceedings. As we proceed, we expect your cooperation and we hope that we will, together with all stakeholders, be able to solve this problem on a permanent basis,” he said.

The tribunal which comprises six professionals in the private sector was set up by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and began sitting immediately after its inauguration on Thursday, November 4, 2021.