The General Manager of Lagos State Infrastructure and Asset Management Agency (LASIAMA), Ms. Adenike Adekanbi, has been suspended by the Lagos State Government due to her failure to properly oversee the agency’s activities.
This suspension comes in the aftermath of a tragic incident that occurred on August 1, where a medical doctor named Vwaere Diaso lost her life due to an elevator collapse at the Lagos General Hospital, Odan.
In response to the incident, the government has taken decisive action. The facility managers have been dismissed, and the company responsible for managing the facility has been blacklisted immediately.
A panel was set up to investigate the probable causes of the elevator accident, identify any individuals responsible, and propose measures to prevent such accidents in the future. The panel included representatives from the Medical Guild and six House Officers.
Based on the preliminary findings of the investigation, the Lagos State Government has instructed that the operations and reporting lines of the facility managers be restructured to involve direct oversight from the hospital management. Furthermore, the installation and maintenance contractors have been handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution if they are found to be at fault.
The safety of employees is a paramount concern, and the government has ensured that all staff members are fully insured.
The life insurance providers have been informed about the incident. The Lagos Safety Commission has been directed to conduct an immediate audit of all elevators in public offices, in addition to existing safety arrangements.
The elevator involved in the accident was installed brand new in 2021. Elevator experts working with the Lagos Safety Commission have conducted an initial inspection and will be removing the elevator for further mechanical examination to determine why the safety features that should have prevented the accident did not work.
The findings of this examination will determine if there is a case against the elevator installer.
The Lagos State Government deeply regrets the unfortunate elevator accident and extends heartfelt condolences to the family and colleagues of Dr. Vwaere Diaso. As a government, they acknowledge the significance of providing functional and comfortable accommodation for health workers, and thus, outsourced the management of the House Officers Quarters to a facility management company, which was overseen by LASIAMA.