In a bid to bolster building safety standards, the Lagos State Government has unveiled stringent measures aimed at curbing the activities of counterfeit materials testing agents.
This initiative comes amidst ongoing efforts to reform and enhance the verification process for construction materials.
General Manager of the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory Agency, Engineer Olayinka Abdul, disclosed these developments during a recent consultative session with industry stakeholders, as detailed in an official statement on the Lagos State Government’s website.
The reforms, according to Engineer Abdul, mark a significant overhaul in operational procedures to combat malpractice effectively, aligning closely with the state’s stringent building safety protocols.
“We are instituting comprehensive measures to address the shortcomings observed in the materials testing process across Lagos State,” stated Engineer Abdul. “These new directives aim to eradicate mismanagement, ensuring transparency and guaranteeing utmost customer satisfaction.”
Furthermore, Engineer Abdul outlined additional steps to reinforce credibility within the industry. All consultants affiliated with LSMTL will now be listed on the agency’s official website when issuing materials test notices, a move intended to enhance accountability and professionalism.
To streamline operations and mitigate potential discrepancies, LSMTL will introduce an Electronic Geographic Information System, facilitating organized testing operations under designated codes or zones.
Engineer Abdul also cautioned stakeholders in riverine communities against the use of local soil materials due to their corrosive effects on construction steel, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to safety and quality.
The initiative underscores Lagos State’s proactive stance in addressing the pervasive issue of building collapses linked to substandard materials and unqualified practitioners within the construction sector.
The incidence of building collapses remains a critical concern in Nigeria, with Lagos State notably affected. Between 2000 and 2021, the Building Collapse Prevention Guild reported 167 such incidents in the state alone.
In recent developments, a tragic building collapse at Saint Academy School in Plateau State resulted in multiple fatalities, underscoring the urgency for robust regulatory measures across the nation. Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident to determine accountability.
Similarly, a building collapse in Kubwa, Abuja, though without casualties, has highlighted the ongoing risks associated with substandard construction practices nationwide.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with these challenges, the Lagos State Government’s latest measures signify a pivotal step towards safeguarding public safety and enhancing building integrity across the region.
