Built environment professionals under the auspices of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), Kosofe Cell are calling on the Lagos State Government on actions needed to be taken to avert incessant incidents of building collapse in the state
Apart from calling on the state Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu, to order the investigation into the collapse of a 3-storey building under construction at 13, Wilson Mba Street, Lagos and killed five people
This was contained in a letter written to the governor and signed by the group ‹s coordinator and secretary in Kosofe Cell, Mr. Adesoji Adeniji and Abdufattah Balogun, respectively.
As part of actions expected of the government, they want the authority to conduct a Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) on all visibly tilted buildings within the estate, particularly around the collapsed building site, to prevent further incidents, as signs of distress have been observed.
“It is essential to assess the strength and stability of these structures in relation to the soil properties in the area,” they said.
They pointed out that soil investigation reports are a critical requirement for construction in Lagos State, calling on the authority to verify the geotechnical surveys submitted for the collapsed building and adjacent structures to understand the soil properties and conditions.
They stated that any negligence or poor investigation regarding geotechnical recommendations should be met with severe penalties.
“Forensic Reporting of fatal building collapse: It is often said that «those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.» Given that rescue operations can disrupt the scenes of building collapses, we recommend that forensic investigations be conducted concurrently with rescue operations. “This simultaneous multidisciplinary approach will help preserve evidence and expose any malpractice in the industry and mitigate the activities of unqualified practitioners within the state. This will also make unequivocal the political will, not only to take over sites of collapsed buildings but to punish the avoidable crime against humanity,” the built environment experts said.
In addition to exposing malpractice, they urged that significant penalties should be imposed for any man-made errors in the construction process.
They also appealed to the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) to train its staff to perform thorough technical audits of ongoing projects.
According to them, construction projects in the state must adhere to both local and international building standards, ensuring the use of quality materials and proper construction techniques.
They enjoined public officials to avoid corruption in their monitoring activities.
On construction supervision, inspection, and certification, they advised that the government agencies should carry out regular and rigorous inspections throughout all phases of construction, issuing stage certifications only after confirming compliance with established standards and codes.
“During these inspections, the safety audit and online ratings of contractors with projects in the state should be evaluated weekly and made public. The status and activities of building control agencies at any site should also be transparent,” they said.
They stated that construction companies must be held accountable for the safety and integrity of their buildings, with mechanisms in place to penalise non-compliance and reward adherence to safety standards.
On quackery in the design and supervision of construction works, the built environment experts urged the Lagos State Government to establish a database for individuals authorised to carry out construction activities within the state.
“A comprehensive list of all licensed professionals practising in Lagos must be maintained and their years of experience. The competence, roles, and responsibilities of all stakeholders involved in the construction process should be clearly documented.
“Developers, construction companies, professional consultants, and relevant government agencies must demonstrate their competence and experience, participating at their own risk in any construction projects. Issues related to design indemnity, contractor’s all-risk insurance, and worker’s compensation policies, as well as the developers’ competence and budget adequacy for the works, should be thoroughly assessed before construction permits are granted,” they said.
“We therefore urge your esteemed office to consider these recommendations seriously and to initiate a government probe into the systemic issues contributing to these tragedies. Collaborative effort among governmental agencies, construction companies, and the community is required to ensure adherence to safety standards and accountability at all levels.
“We shall not relent in the efforts at protecting our locality from the building collapse syndrome that has been ravaging Lagos State. Over the years, we have devoted our personal resources to the cause of building collapse prevention. Hence, it is legitimate for us to demand that you make those who caused the collapse be accountable. Lives of innocent building artisans, who had just arrived to handle the finishing aspect of the building, also matter,” the experts said.
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