Lagos laments non-compliance with building code

• Tasks developers on use of professionals, standard materials
• Says engaging professionals will check 70% of collapses
• LASEMA, NEMA blame improper waste disposal on constant flash flooding

Lagos State Government, yesterday, tasked developers to abide with the rules to reduce incidents of structural failures in the state. The state’s governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, gave the charge during the second edition of Lagos State Building Collapse Control Agency (LASBCA) stakeholders’ engagement with the theme: ‘Professionalism across Board in the Built Environment,” in Ikeja.

He urged the developers to ensure that they obtain necessary documents, including certifications, proper tests (soil tests) and involve LASBCA in every stage of their buildings, before they embark on their projects.

According to him, it is very crucial at this point to enforce building regulations to the latter to prevent illegal, haphazard and poorly constructed buildings that are detrimental to the well-being of Lagosians.

He, therefore, appealed to all stakeholders to ensure that all deliberations, discussions and papers presented are well taken and put to practice, saying that it is by so doing that we will have the Lagos of our dreams.

Besides, he stressed that the urban areas are experiencing rapid population growth, which places tremendous pressure on existing infrastructural facilities.
The governor said that his administration was very passionate about ending issues of building collapse in the state and this has informed the introduction of the Certified Accreditors Programme (CAP) whereby professionals in the built sector would be involved in both the approval processes and inspection of building projects.

Sanwo-Olu also urged all professional bodies, such as the Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA), Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Nigeria Institute of Building (NIOB) and others to register all deserving candidates to promote professionalism and end quackery in the built sector.

In another development, Lagos State government and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have identified improper waste disposal by residents as one of the major causes for the constant flash flooding that the state is experiencing.

They stated this, yesterday, during the one-day workshop on harnessing proper waste management and flood response mechanism organised jointly by NEMA and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

Director-General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, said that state had experienced series of flood disasters and health challenges as a result of improper waste management, adding that proper waste management and flood preparedness are essential for the well being of the communities

On his part, Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said that despite the huge investment of the state government in emergency management, improper waste disposal had been a major problem responsible for constant flooding in the state.