News
Lagos initiates partnership with the private sector to prevent building collapses
The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the Office of Urban Development and Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), has finalized arrangements to engage the private sector within the construction industry to enhance service delivery and prevent building collapses.
The upcoming collaboration, known as the "Accredited Certifiers Program," seeks to enhance the capabilities of government personnel in overseeing and enforcing building regulations within the state.
The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Electronic Geographical Information System(e-GIS) and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, disclosed this on Friday.
Babatunde, said that the recommendation of Accredited Certifiers Programme emanated from the Government White Paper on the report of the Lagos State tribunal of the building collapse on 44 (B, C, D), Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos which calls for a more robust public private sector synergy that would help boost enforcement exercise in terms of monitoring and inspection of all on-going building constructions in the state.
According to Babatunde; “The main reason for the partnership which has been in the pipeline since 2021 is basically for zero tolerance to building collapses in the State through robust monitoring and inspection of all on-going constructions in the state as the government cannot do the job alone.
“The synergy with the private sectors as recommended by the White Paper report will enhance a better services delivery in some specifics aspects such as monitoring of the built environment, screening of drawings and inspection of projects above six floors and complementary roles for stage certification of projects above six floors, an initiative that will make the building process seamless and more effective”.
He noted that Lagos is blessed with large numbers of professionals in the built environment who are ready to bring in their expertise and capacity to ensure that buildings in the state are constructed to meet international standards.
Olajide also emphasized that for seamless take-off of the Accredited Certifiers Programme to be achieved, various orientation workshops will be organized for successful Consortium and individual professionals that met the criteria of becoming an Accredited Certifiers.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Engr. Shodeinde Nurudeen on his own part stated that, LASBCA is the sole enforcer of any form of building development in the State and in order to reduce or eliminate the multiplicity of enforcement agents in the built industry, other State Agencies and Parastatals must interface between LASBCA.
“LASBCA is a ‘One Stop Shop’ for all other Agencies/Parastatals of the State Government involved in monitoring and enforcement of building regulations in the state and in order to reduce the people’s misconception of multiple inspections, everybody will be allowed to perform their core responsibilities but LASBCA will be the sole enforcer” he stated.
Speaking earlier to newsmen in his office, the General Manager of Lagos State Building Control Agency, Arc. Gbolahan Oki disclosed that the agency would not condone illegal construction of buildings in any part of the state as the agency was fully ready to remove all buildings constructed without the requisite permit.
Oki, was reacting to the distortion of the master plans of some part of the state by people who he described as “omo onile” with their indiscriminate sales of lands earmarked by the Government for roads, drainages and other purposes of public interest to unsuspecting members of the public.
He emphasized that the government would take swift action to demolish structures erected on lands designated for public purposes, as ignorance of the law is not a valid excuse.
Therefore, Oki recommended that developers and landowners consistently verify property titles they intend to acquire by consulting the state land registry before completing any purchase agreements.
The Lagos State Government has said it would soon arrange a meeting with developers/owners of distressed buildings on how best to address the redesign and remodelling of such structures by November.
This was disclosed recently by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, at a function in Alahusa, Lagos.
Olumide said the prevalence of distressed buildings in different parts of the state was worrisome and needed the urgent attention of all stakeholders.
He said, “The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development as mandated by the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, 2019, as amended, was willing to extend its responsibility for approving the remodelling of existing buildings to provide technical assistance to developers and owners of distressed buildings, especially on the design and remodelling of such buildings.
The Federal Government has instructed the contractors responsible for the 107km Enugu-Onitsha road dualization to expedite the project.
This directive was given by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, during a meeting with MTN, the Enugu State Government, and the contractors, RCC Ltd and Nigercat Ltd, on Friday.
According to a statement released on Friday, the minister said he is disappointed over the slow pace of work on the project, he said, “Let me express my disappointment over the slow pace of work on that project. It is one of the worst roads in this country.
“Everywhere we have diversion; diverting from the one that RCC and Nigercat had completed, the contractors are not kind enough to even put stone based on the diversion points.”
He added, “So, by the reason of the launching of our Operation Free our Roads, it is now a violation of the policy on the side of the controllers and directors of the Federal Ministry of Works where we have vehicles falling on any project that is ongoing or where there are potholes on our roads.”
He also blamed the sufferings of road users on the lack of commitment and insensitivity of the contractors.
“The public must know that the President’s intention is not for them to suffer while trying to fix the roads, and it is their right to insist that contractors should fix the roads that they are engaged on,” he said.
The Minister commended the Enugu state government for their resolve to fund the construction of a 20 KM section of the road and expressed hope that MTN would execute the second phase of the project.
He noted, “Why the Enugu State government is intervening is because of the slow pace of work by the contractors and because of funding issues. The essence of tax credit is for funds to be made available. And so, I don’t see RCC going to keep their promise to finish this project in 6 months.
“My advice to MTN is to look for another contractor within that axis if they want to get the job done. Division of labour is even the best. While they are doing the road, and if Nigercat is doing a good job, you can give them greater scope to do if you want to finish that job.”
He warned contractors that the Federal Government would not accept phased handovers of projects and has phased out Variation of Price in contract administration.
The Ekiti State government has intervened to resolve a longstanding land dispute between the Elepe of Epe-Ekiti, Oba Ayodele Adesoye, and the Atolagbe family. The government cautioned against the misuse of modernization as an excuse to disregard traditional customs.
In line with the community’s traditions, the government has ordered the release of resources, including palm trees at Oko Oba Farmland, to Oba Adesoye for his administration. This decision ensures the continued adherence to age-old practices.
Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, announced the resolution in Ado-Ekiti. The decision was made after considering the Elepe’s claim to Oko Oba Farmland based on historical evidence.
Mrs. Afuye acknowledged the Elepe’s right to be the custodian of Oko Oba Farmland, citing longstanding traditions that support his claim. The decision reflects the importance of respecting historical practices and ensuring their preservation.
The deputy governor, however, told the monarch in clear terms that other princes and princesses from all the three ruling houses should be allowed to farm on the land without payment of royalty.
Mrs Afuye appealed to the community to comply with the government’s position to restore unity, peace and orderliness to the beleaguered community.
Oba Adesoye expressed gratitude for the government’s decision and pledged to foster peace and unity between the throne and the community, aiming to accelerate Epe’s development.
Representing the Atolagbe family, Dr. Yemi Agbeleoba acknowledged their willingness to cede Oko Oba Farmland to the monarch. However, he emphasized the need for all three ruling houses to participate for a lasting and traditional solution.
Agbeleoba expressed appreciation for the government’s directive, believing it will contribute to resolving the long-standing conflict.
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