Stakeholders, Not Govt Responsible for Building Collapse in Lagos, Says Obasa

Bennett Oghifo

Owners of buildings under construction and their contractors have been blamed for the incessant collapse of structures in Lagos and not government officials.

This is the position taken by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, who was the guest of honour at a seminar for building collapse prevention with the theme ‘Building Collapse Prevention: Women in the Built Environment Making a Difference’, organised by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild, in Lagos, recently.

According to Honourable Obasa, “Lagos State continues to do all it can to curb the menace of building collapse which is due mostly to stakeholders in the industry cutting corners, especially in obtaining the requisite permit for construction. If the laws and regulations are followed strictly by stakeholders, we would all be relieved knowing that one of societal challenges has been trounced. 

“That should be the way to go, not for some elements to create a problem for both the residents and the State and then turn around to give the impression that the government is insensitive during implementation of these laws, especially in relation to demolition of buildings constructed with disregard for the laws and regulations.

“If indeed we are serious and wish to bring the menace of building collapse to an end, there must be effective collaboration between stakeholders in the built industry, the Government and the general public who are key players.” 

He said “As professionals, you must advise your clients appropriately that strict compliance with laws and regulations cannot be short-circuited. You must ensure that construction or renovation is done in compliance with building regulations and that all necessary planning permits and approvals are obtained. “There should also be regular site inspections to ensure that the quality of materials used are not compromised. There should further be adequate provision of security at construction sites.”

He said, “For emphasis, the Lagos State Planning Permit Regulation 2019 and the Lagos State Building Control Agency Regulation 2019 were enacted to stem incidences of building collapse in the State and to generally regulate the activities of building contractors and other stakeholders in the industry.

“These laws and regulations have not been made in a vacuum but are to be seen as instruments of guidance so that if properly complied with, would stem incidences of building collapse or even totally eradicate such in our State.”

Obasa said the Lagos State House of Assembly, “being the fulcrum through which effective Government policies are formed, will continue to perform its oversight functions, initiate and review relevant laws that will keep the State in its positions as a mega-city and economic hub.”

In his opening address at the panel of discussion themed ‘Building Collapse Prevention: Women in the Built Environment,’ the National President, Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), Sulaiman Alabi Yusuf said, “In a rapidly evolving world, the impact of women in every sector cannot be underestimated. Today, we direct our focus to the built environment in Nigeria, recognising the extraordinary contributions and remarkable potential of women within this realm. 

“We gather here with a shared goal: to explore, celebrate, and empower women who have left an indelible mark on the built environment, and to forge a path towards greater inclusivity and gender equality.

“Together, we aspire to cultivate a society where every woman with a passion for the built environment can break free from the shackles of gender bias and soar to new horizons of success. We firmly believe that by harnessing the collective power of diverse perspectives, talents, and experiences, we can drive innovation, foster sustainable development, and create built environments that truly reflect the needs and aspirations of all and minimize to the barest minimum, building collapse in the country.”