Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Sanwo-Olu, has showed his dissatisfaction for disregarding building code in Nigeria, which has led to loss of lives of property across the country.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

 

Gov. Sanwo-Olu stated this at the second edition of the stakeholders’ engagement of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) with the theme, “Professionalism Across Board In The Built Environment” held in Lagos, on Thursday, 15th August 2024, at Balmoral Convention Centre, Sharaton Hotel Ikeja.

He however noted that if professionals in the built environment can comply with the code, the problem of building collapse having affects on the nation’s built environment will be half solved.

In his speech, ”One major challenge we face as a government is citizens’ strict adherence to building codes, which often translates to complete disregard to building regulations by home owners and developers.

” While we realize 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 to the latter so as to prevent illegal, haphazard and poorly constructed buildings that are detrimental to the wellbeing of Lagosians. That is why we are strongly advocating that only professionals should be engaged in building constructions in the state.

”The question you might want to ask is, who are the Professionals that should be engaged in the building construction industry? The answer is not far-fetched, they are: Builders, Architects, Structural /Civil Engineers, Geologists Mechanical and Electrical Engineers.

”I dare say that engaging only these professionals will solve 70 per cent of the challenges of building collapse across the state. Therefore, it is now mandatory that all relevant professionals in the built environment are fully engage in any building construction in the state.”

The governor also emphasised that since professional bodies play a vital role in the building process, from designs, supervision, construction and management of the entire process. There must be a sense of purpose that if one gets it wrong, it would be a domino effect.

He added, ”I also want to urge all Professional bodies to as a matter of urgency register all deserving candidates as this would promote professionalism and end quackery in the built sector.

”I urge the leadership of these professional bodies to devise a method to track those who are not their members as well as put in place stringent punitive measures to punish members who are not practicing in line with the code of professional conduct of the associations”.

The General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Arc. Gbolahan Oki, on his part, said, the engagement is a testament to collective dedication aimed at providing a platform for open dialogue, knowledge sharing and collaboration among all stakeholders in the building and construction sector. Your presence showed commitment to excellence and a readiness to work towards common goals.

He stated, ”The Lagos State Building Control Agency has made significant strides in ensuring adherence to building standards and codes, resulting in a notable decline in building collapses. These positive outcomes are testament to our efforts.

“However, we acknowledge that there is always room for improvement. During this engagement, we will introduce new measures by the state government designed to enhance the safety and resilience of our buildings for future generations.”

Also, he that added that government is ready to engage not only industry professionals but also community members who are involved in property development, specifically women that specialise in trading and constantly engage the services of developers in handling their building projects.

Dr Olajide Abiodun Babatunde, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, in an interview with the newsmen restated the essence of the stakeholders engagement and why it is essential to have professionals in the built sector.

In his words,“The essence of the stakeholders meeting is to bring everybody in the built sector together and then tell them about our processes particularly the amnesty program which is being carried out by the office of physical planning and urban development and the certified accreditor program.

“We say we have the capability in terms of technical know-how and skills but we may not have the capacity in terms of the numbers. Yes, we already have district offices in all the 57 districts of Lagos in the local governments and the LCDAs, however the numbers of construction that goes on in Lagos on a daily basis maybe would outnumber our staffs.

“A team that goes to a site is made up of architect, a civil engineer, a mechanical engineer, a builder, a structural engineer. By the time you count the numbers of people in that team, they are about ten people. We have to cater for their logistics.

“We have called on the allied professionals from the built industry be you an architect, engineers, builders to come together as a consortium of at least a group of five that will be helping us with our works.

“We are outsourcing some of the responsibility of government to the private sector. We have gotten to that stage now where it is a joint responsibility. If you have the skills, you need to help us.
“The one we can’t give out to the members of the public, like monitoring, we will handle”. He said

Architect Olarewaju Teniola in an interview at the event, stated that potential clients willing to patronize the building industry must be vigilant so they don’t hire quacks who paraded themselves as architects, when it is time to design their buildings.

“As a professional we are already aware of what LASBCA does, we work together, so I believe this kind of gathering is for grassroot people that are not aware.
“You don’t give your buildings to quacks. It is an assignment for all clients, or potential clients to do their due diligence to actually pick and work with certified professionals.

“Every building starts with an architect. That is from the design stage. An architect is like a guide to potential clients. They recommend or suggest the right building team, that the client needs for any building construction.
“Every state has a chapter of architect association. It is easy now , you can easily google. Nigeria institute of architect Lagos State Chapter that is where all the registered architects in Lagos State are. So if you are in other states, you can just do the same”.

The President, Nigeria Welders Association, Lagos State Chapter,Engr.Taofeek Olawale said that building sector, stakeholders engagement is a wake up call for all professionals in the built environment to comply with the building code. The event should continue to take place.

The President, professional Carpenter & and Furniture Makers Association of Nigeria, Lagos chapter, Alh Bello Kazeem urged the Lagos state Government to engage them directly and also carry them along
when awarding contracts.

Moreso, President of Plumber association of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter, Mr Lanre Adeleke  appreciated Lagos State Government for the skilled acquisition training programs, where members were trained and empowered at the end of the training.

The president of Tiler Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, Tiler Adeniran Olusegun also commended the State Government for the skilled acquisition programs and Empowerments.