Technical experts from the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) have joined the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory (LSMTL) in inspecting 12 accredited materials testing laboratories across Lagos State as part of efforts to strengthen quality assurance in the construction sector and reduce incidents of building collapse.

The inspection exercise, conducted recently, focused on ensuring that laboratories responsible for testing construction materials comply with professional and technical standards before such materials are used on building projects.

The General Manager of the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory, Mrs Olayinka Abdul, said the exercise was aimed at reinforcing best practices in materials testing and promoting public safety through improved quality control.

The COREN delegation, comprising engineers Olayinka Alli, Dr Mojirade Oloruntoba and Tomide Akinnawo, underscored the importance of professionalism in evaluating the quality of construction materials. They noted that accurate testing and certification remain critical to the integrity and durability of buildings and other infrastructure.

During the inspection, the team assessed personnel competence, laboratory capacity, equipment functionality and calibration, documentation, professional certification, and compliance with relevant technical standards.

A member of the BCPG delegation and former Head of the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Lagos, Prof Ewaen Ikponmwosa, stressed the need for regular and independent audits of testing laboratories, particularly privately owned facilities.

According to him, periodic assessments are necessary to ensure that testing equipment remains in good condition, properly calibrated, and that laboratory analyses are conducted by qualified professionals.

Also speaking, the immediate past Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Geotechnical Engineers, Lagos State Chapter, Ebenezer Ologuntoye, described the exercise as a significant step towards improving oversight in geotechnical practice.

He noted that, since sub-soil investigation reports are mandatory for obtaining building plan approval in Lagos State, the role of the LSMTL in sanitising the geotechnical sector cannot be overemphasised.