The General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, has issued a firm call to action for professionals and stakeholders in the Built Environment to take full responsibility in addressing building collapses across Nigeria.
Speaking at the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) Construction and Real Estate Stakeholders’ Summit, Themed: “Stemming the Tide of Building Collapse Incidents: From Rhetoric to Actions,” Oki emphasized that the real issue is not just substandard materials but the general attitude towards construction standards and regulations.
Held at the NBCC Plaza, the event brought together leading Engineers, Architects, Urban Planners, and Safety Specialists to discuss practical solutions to the growing challenges in the Built Environment.
Arc. Oki highlighted several alarming trends within the industry, pointing out that the lack of attention to details by professionals contributes significantly to the problem of building collapses. Stressing that, “The collapse we have been experiencing is not just about poor materials but about our attitude in all ramifications,” he said.
“Professionals no longer supervise projects adequately. They do not pay attention to details, and they spend very limited time on construction sites”, he added.
The LASBCA boss further highlighted how negligence extends to project owners themselves, Urging developers to take responsibility for their projects from the outset. “Charity begins at home. The foundation for five floors is different from that of eight floors,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of ensuring buildings are constructed to the correct specifications.
The General Manager also addressed the issue of resistance when the Agency enforces demolition notices on unsafe structures. “Whenever we issue a demolition notice, the calls start flooding in with people begging for reconsideration but we must remember, as Mr. Governor always says, ‘The life of an average Lagosian is more important than any profit you want to make,’” Oki asserted, reinforcing the need for tough enforcement actions.
He pointed out that while there are established laws, their implementation is still lacking. Many clients and developers find it challenging to follow the required procedures for construction, which further exacerbates the risk of building collapses.
Oki made it clear that preventing building collapses is possible if all stakeholders including professionals and clients must commit to upholding construction standards. “As professionals, we must control our processes. We need to stand our ground and say no to defying construction practices that endanger lives,” he urged.
In closing, he praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s proactive stance on the issue and also called for greater collaboration among professionals in the Built Environment, stating further that cooperation is key to ensuring safer construction practices and preventing further building collapses in Lagos.
Adu Ademuyiwa
Director, Public Affairs, LASBCA