Fashola Approves Repatriation Of 54 South African Victims

oge okonkwo

November 13, 2014 12:06 PM

The clearance was given by governor Babatunde Fashola at a meeting with delegates of the South African government, following complaints that the bodies were being held for too long

The Lagos State Government has approved the repatriation of 54 bodies of South African nationals among the 116 victims killed in the collapse of a six-storey building at the Synagogue Church, Ikotun, Lagos, on September 12.

The clearance was given by governor Babatunde Fashola at a meeting with delegates of the South African government, following complaints that the bodies were being held for too long.

Fashola, who welcomed the South African Special Envoy at the State House, Marina said his administration had no reason to delay closure on the incident, in line with the South African culture and traditions.

He said, “Our responsibility is to ensure that families get closure. I know that this is an issue that has attracted global attention.

“I understand the call by South Africans to get the bodies of their relatives but we cannot at this time get the process wrong because if we release a body, we want to ensure that each families take the body of their relative. It will be un-pardonable for us to make mistakes.”

oge okonkwo