Lagos State Government says two more bodies have been recovered, bringing to 45 the number of bodies from the November 1 collapsed 21-storey building in Ikoyi.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said this in a statement on Wednesday, where operation at the site of the collapsed building had resumed.

Mr Omotoso also said that vehicular movement around Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, the site of the collapse, had been smooth, following the reopening of the road.

According to him, the identification of bodies of the victims of the incident has continued at the IDH, Yaba, Lagos.

“So, far, 32 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,” he said.

Mr Omotoso said contrary to speculations, no directive had been given for the demolition of the two high-rise buildings standing at the site of the collapse.

He said the Panel of Inquiry instituted to establish issues surrounding the collapse had continued to sit and an integrity test was yet to be conducted on the buildings.

The commissioner said that it was, therefore, wrong to assert or speculate that the buildings would be demolished.

(NAN)