Lagos State Government Yet to Repair Elevator That Caused Tragic Death of Dr. Vwaere Diaso at Odan General Hospital

The Lagos State Government has yet to fix the elevator at the General Hospital, Odan, which led to the tragic death of Dr. Vwaere Diaso eight months ago. The elevator, which has not been repaired or replaced, remains sealed off by the state government.

Since the incident, hospital workers have resorted to using the stairs in the 10-story building due to the closure of the elevator area. When SK Blog’s reporter visited the hospital on Thursday, the elevator area was found to be cordoned off with a wooden structure and a signpost that read “Restricted Area” and “No Unauthorized Access.” The sign also displayed a phone number linked to the Lagos State Safety Commission.

Despite the closure, there was no sign of construction work or machinery near the elevator area. However, a large logo of construction company Julius Berger was visible near the doctors’ quarters. A sign indicated that the company was responsible for rehabilitation works at the hospital, with a project timeline from February 2024 to September 2024.

A female staff member residing in the building confirmed the ongoing closure of the elevator, stating, “They haven’t fixed it. It’s been sealed for some time now, and we have no idea when it will be fixed.”

Efforts to contact the Lagos State Safety Commission for comments were unsuccessful, as calls and messages remained unanswered. Gbenga Omotoso, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, acknowledged that the government is working on repairs, not just for the elevator but for the entire building. He mentioned that the construction is being handled by Julius Berger, emphasizing that it is a reputable company.

Despite these statements, no visible signs of active repair work was seen being carried out at the site.