The Governor of Delta State Sheriff Oborevwori has urged the Lagos State government and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr. Vwaire Diaso.
Oborevwori described the death of Diaso as tragic and avoidable if those saddled with the management of the hospital facilities were on top of their duty.
Diaso, a medical doctor and native of Ewu Kingdom in Ughelli South local government area of Delta state, died at the General Hospital, Lagos Island, when the elevator she used crashed from the 9th floor to the ground floor.
In a condolence message signed by his chief press secretary, Festus Ahon in Asaba, Oborevwori sent his heart-felt condolences to the Diaso family and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA)
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I commiserate with the family of Kennedy Diaso of Ewu Kingdom, the Urhobo nation, friends and colleagues of the deceased on the tragic death of their promising daughter, Vwaire.
“This incident is tragic, painful, grievous and a great loss not just to the family but to the entire nation and humanity.
“While we mourn her unfortunate and avoidable death, the hospital management failed in their duty to maintain facilities at the hospital which caused her untimely death.
“I therefore call on the Lagos State Government and Police authorities to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident with a view to avoiding future reoccurrence.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues in this difficult time, even as we pray the good Lord Almighty to accept her soul and grant her eternal rest,” Oborevwori said.
Meanwhile, the governor of Lagos State Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered the immediate suspension of Mrs. Adenike Adekanbi, General Manager, Lagos State Infrastructure and Asset Management Agency (LASIAMA).
The governor approved the suspension based on the outcome of the investigative panel set up to probe the incident.
Sanwo-Olu said that LASIAMA oversees the activities of the facility management company in charge of the house officers quarters of the hospital.
According to him, the state has sacked and blacklisted the facility managers.
Sanwo-Olu said that the operations and line of reporting of the facility managers had been restructured to involve the hospital management directly.
“We have handed the installation and maintenance contractors to the police for further investigation and likely prosecution if they are found culpable.
“The police will also investigate anyone else that might have been found to be negligent, It is also important to state that the elevator that crashed was installed brand new in 2021.
“Elevator experts, working with the Lagos Safety Commission, have carried out an initial inspection and will be removing the elevator for further mechanical examination to determine why the safety features that should prevent this kind of accident did not work.
“Their findings will determine if we have a case with the elevator installer,” he said.
The governor noted that all staff of the state are fully insured, adding that the state’s life insurance providers had been informed about the incident.
Sanwo-Olu commiserated with the deceased family and colleagues, saying, ‘as a government, we feel the pain of this irreparable loss”.
