The Lagos State government has said no directive has been given for the demolition of the two high-rise buildings standing at the site of the 21-storey building which collapsed in the Ikoyi area of the state.

In a statement on its official Facebook page, the state said integrity test is yet to be conducted on the two buildings still standing.

<em>The PUNCH</em> reported that one of the buildings on the site located on Gerrard Road collapsed on November 1, trapping artisans and others.

Nine survivors have been rescued while the death toll has risen to 45 as revealed in a statement issued by the Lagos State government through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso.

The statement read, “Contrary to speculations, no directive has been given for the demolition of the two high-rise buildings standing at the site of the 21-storey collapsed building in Ikoyi, Lagos. The Panel of Inquiry instituted to establish issues surrounding the collapse of the building has continued to sit and an integrity test is yet to be conducted on the buildings. It is, therefore, wrong to assert or speculate that the buildings will be demolished.

“The operation at the site of the collapsed building continues. Vehicular movement around the site has been smooth, following the reopening of the road.

“Two more bodies were recovered from the site today. The recovery of the two bodies has brought to 45 the number of bodies retrieved from the site.

“The identification of bodies of the victims of the incident has continued at IDH, Yaba, Lagos Mainland. Thirty-two families have come forward to submit samples for DNA to identify bodies that they wish to claim. In cases where identification is clear and there are no arguments, the bodies will be released to the families.

“A committee to supervise the identification and release of the bodies has begun work. It comprises senior officials of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Justice.”