The Lagos State Government on Tuesday dismissed reports that the collapsed structure along Gerald Street in Ikoyi was originally approved for 15 floors by the Lagos State Building Control Agency.

This development was disclosed by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, during an on-the-spot assessment visit to the site.

Hamzat’s statement was in contrast to earlier information credited to General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Mr Gbolahan Oki, who stated that the owner of the collapsed 21-storey building, under construction in Ikoyi, was given approval to construct only 15 floors.

Reacting to the report on Tuesday, Hamzat stated that the affected building was given an approval for 21 floors and not the 15-storey narrative being dangled in the media.

“It is not true. This collapsed building was approved for 21, not 15 floors. And the approval was signed three years ago.

“The only problem here is defect construction. As I said, it is still under investigation,” he said.

The deputy governor also confirmed that before it collapsed, the project tagged 360 Degree, which was built by Fourscore Homes Limited was shut last year between June and November for the owner of the building to rectify some noticeable defects in the structure.