The General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Mr. Gbolahan Oki, an architect, said the approval of certified accreditors by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, would complement activities of government’s officials in preventing building collapse across the state.
According to him, the certified accreditors would help in screening of drawings, stage inspection and monitoring to ensure compliance with the Lagos State Building Control Regulations.
Lauding the governor for the launch of Certified Accreditors Program (CAP) after the completion of the 4-day training for the shortlisted consulting private firms, Oki said that the launch of CAP would help the agency to serve the people more effectively, while enhancing collaboration, innovation and excellence in building control practices.
This new initiative, he said that would further strengthen LASBCA in achieving its primary goals of ensuring that basic minimum standard is maintained in building construction in the state through strict compliance with the State Building Codes and Regulations.
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He enjoined all building owners/developers in the state to accord the newly certified accreditors respect by cooperating with them during monitoring and inspection of various stages of building construction processes.
According to him, such cooperation would help rid the state of incessant building collapse as non-compliance to the government laid down regulations will meet stiff penalty.
While welcoming the certified accreditors on board following the approval of the governor for their operations, Oki urged them not to take the opportunity for granted.
“Rather, you should justify the confidence reposed in you by the governor by bringing your professionalism and wealth of experience to bear in your new assignment,” he said.
CAP is a new initiative in collaboration with the private sector professionals in the built environment for a thorough monitoring and inspections of all ongoing building construction across Lagos State.
Speaking, Governor Sanwo-Olu, said the initiative marked a very pivotal moment in the journey towards a safer and more prosperous Lagos.
The governor seized the opportunity to reflect on the importance of the initiative, saying it’s not just for the built environment, but for the socio-economic well-being of the state, recalling several tragic cases of building collapse in the state.
He said, “One of them in November 2021, and several others all around that time, where we faced heartbroken collapse of buildings. These events were a stark reminder of the challenges we faced.
According to Sanwo-Olu, one of the recommendations of committees or panel of inquiries set up to unravel the causes of incessant building collapse in the state and what needs to be done to eradicate the menace led to the formation of CAP.
“The panel gave us recommendations. One of the most important recommendations was the need for us to enhance collaborative effort between the state government and the private sector professionals in the built environment.
“And in response to that, our developers will now call a certified accreditors program through the Lagos State Building Control Agency,(LASBCA.)
“This initiative is not merely a regulatory measure, it is a transformative step towards fostering a safer, more compliant, and more sustainable labour,” he said
The implication of the certified accreditors program the governor was to reach far beyond more compliance with building regulations.
“By incorporating the private sector, all of your skills and expertise that you have into our regulatory framework, we are taking significant strides towards realizing a range of socioeconomic benefits that will enhance the quality of life to all negotiations,” he said.
The governor explained that the primary objective of the program was to ensure that the safety of buildings are not compromised.
“We’re hoping that it will effectively reduce the risk of building collapse. Will not only protect life and property, but also foster a sense of security that is vital for any thriving community.
“Safety, we say, is the foundation upon which we can build a prosperous nation and a prosperous society,” the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu is of the view that a robust regulatory framework plays a critical role in attracting investment.
He pointed out that without the right environment, investment would not come. Rather, he said that such investment would go elsewhere.
When developers are sure that stringent safety measures are in place, he said they would like to self-regulate themselves.
“And for people that do not want to self-regulate themselves and comply, then the government or the regulators will also come right after them.
“We believe that the influx of investment will catalyze economic growth, it will create a lot of job opportunities, and ultimately, it will improve the living standard of all our citizens.
In addition, we also believe that safety and investment. The program will contribute to the enhancement of our urban ecstasy.
“A well-planned and visually appealing city not only attracts tourism, but also instills a sense of pride within the community. We believe it fosters a vibrant local economy,” the governor said.
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