NIOB to Assist Lagos Implement, Enforce Planning Law

Fadekemi Ajakaiye

The Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Building has said it would collaborate with the Lagos State Government in implementing and enforcing the Lagos State Development Planning Law, 2019 that was conceived to check defective construction.

Chairman, NIOB, Lagos State Chapter, Mr Lucky Isename stated this during a press conference, recently, to announce the 32nd Lagos Builder’s conference and Annual General Meeting slated to hold from October 11 to 12.

The conference, with the theme: “Safe and Sustainable Building Production Management in Nigeria,” he said, was chosen to correct errors and x-ray how far the neglect of the law had affected construction in Lagos State. It would also focus on issues of sustainability in construction to mitigate building collapse.

“We have Carefully chosen this topic as a follow up to last year’s conference that was a great success. Striding on the success, we intend to educate the populace on the importance of engaging.a professional builder to execute your construction project,” he said. 

Mr. Isename said, “The collaboration with Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development is to make sure that the Lagos State Physical Development Planning Law 2019, is fully enforced to mitigate building collapse in the state.

“The construction industry through safe and sustainable building production management plays a vital role in the development and growth of the nation.

“However, it is imperative that we focus not only on the speed and efficiency of construction but also on the safety and sustainability of our built environment.

“We cannot discuss construction and building without touching Sustainable Development Goals.”

He said at the conference, experts would discuss functions of registered builders, expectations, ethics, rights of clients, government regulation and other vital issues that would nip building collapse in the bud.

“Panelists will discuss safe and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the progress made to meet the deadline of achieving the sustainable goals as it affected the building construction sector in Lagos State,” he said.

The Honourary Secretary, NIOB, Mr Abiodun Ogundare, said the theme was in line with Goal 17 of the SDG, which advocates sustainability in construction, hence the emphasis on use of registered builders.

The Vice Chairman, NIOB, Mr Adeoye Thomas, said a building could be safe for a short time but engaging professionals would help it last longer.

He said all stakeholders in the construction value chain including manufacturers, the professional builders, artisans, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), among others, must begin self assessment on doing things right.

“We need to come together to reduce this issue of building collapse. With this I believe we will reduce it to the barest minimum,” he said.

Immediate past chairman of the Lagos Chapter of NIOB, Mr Sunday Wusu, said the sub-themes of the conference were carefully selected to cover a wide range of topics and issues causing building collapse.