Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu stated on Thursday that his administration is determined to put an end to building collapses in the state.
Sanwo-Olu stated this while delivering the keynote address at the second edition of the Lagos State Building Control Agency Stakeholders Engagement, which took place at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.
Speaking to the theme ‘Professionalism Across Board in the Built Environment,’ Sanwo-Olu stated that one major challenge faced by the government was the lack of citizens’ strict adherence to building codes, which often translated to complete disregard for building regulations by homeowners and developers.
“While we realise that shelter is of utmost importance, we constantly advocate that, as responsible citizens, there is a need to build right in order to have buildings that are safe, healthy, and preserved for future generations.
“It is very crucial at this point in our history to enforce building regulations for the latter so as to prevent illegal, haphazard, and poorly constructed buildings that are detrimental to the well-being of Lagosians. That is why we are strongly advocating that only professionals should be engaged in building construction in the state,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He mentioned that his administration was “very passionate about ending issues of building collapse in Lagos State, and this has informed the introduction of the Certified Accreditors Programme, whereby professionals in the built sector will be involved in both the approval processes and inspection of building projects.”
Last week, LABSCA said that it will begin closing down structures under construction in the state that were not overseen by relevant professionals in the built environment.
Gbolahan Oki, the General Manager of LASBCA, announced this while establishing an ad hoc task team to enforce the instruction in his Ikeja office.
Professionals who should work in the building construction sector, according to Sanwo-Olu, include certified builders, architects, structural/civil engineers, geologists, and mechanical and electrical engineers.
“I daresay that engaging only these professionals will solve 70 percent of the challenges of building collapse across the state. Therefore, it is now mandatory that all relevant professionals in the built environment are fully engaged in any building construction in the state,” he said.
