Former Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako has charged professional building construction engineers to stand firmly in fighting against unprofessional practices leading to building collapse in Lagos and Nigeria as a whole.
He made this appeal while delivering a lecture as guest speaker at the annual lecture of the University of Lagos’s (UNILAG’s) Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Environmental Sciences at the institution’s Julius Berger Auditorium.
He called for stiffer regulations, better enforcement of existing laws, and increased accountability among professionals in the construction industry.
In his welcoming address, Chairman Local Organising Committee, Dr Sesan Ogunyemi, said the workshop was aimed at providing lasting solutions to the issue of incessant building collapse, which has led to loss of productive lives and properties, and the intractable housing shortage being experienced in the country.
The educative event was organised in conjunction with Adron Homes and Properties. The event, that has its lecture topic as “Recurring Building Collapse in Lagos: The challenge of regulatory oversight and constructional practices” was chaired by the former Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta (MAPOLY), TPL Alhaji Waheed Kadiri.
The institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola was ably represented by Prof. Mike Adebamowo; Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Adron Homes and Properties, Aare Adetola Emmanuel King, President, Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON), TPL Bisi Adedire; Ogun State Commissioner for Physical and Urban Development, TPL Tunji Odunlami; Director-General National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos, Prof. Ayo Omotayo; Head of Department, Urban and Regional Planning, Associate Professor, Dr Taofeek Salau; other Academicians and students.
TPL Salako said building collapse could stem from a multitude of interconnected factors, including faulty design, poor construction practices, inadequate site investigations, use of substandard materials, corruption, failure to test materials before use, non-adherence to standards and regulations, unqualified professional and overloading.
He further explained that lack of proper regulatory oversight, poor workmanship, and insufficient maintenance, no geotechnical or sub-soil investigation, illegal approval and insufficient regulatory supervision, incorrect demolition process, changes in usage and unlawful conversion of structures also contribute greatly to structural failures.
TPL Salako added that the Lagos State Government is set to launch a new Building Code to address structural failures and urban planning challenges and codes to regulate construction practices, ensure compliance with safety standards and certified Accreditors Programme (CAP).
Highlighted some non-compliance to the policies, he said: “Failure to obtain permits or ignoring building control measures can lead to sealing or demolition of the property; Legal prosecution or fines; loss of investment due to lack of documentation and denial of Certificates of Occupancy or financing options.
Delivering his goodwill remarks, the Group Chairman of Adron Group, Sir Aare Adetola Emmanuel King, called for accountability across the building sector. He described building collapse as a “tragedy that has become so rampant in Nigeria, especially in Lagos, saying the disasters are not acts of fate but direct results of human negligence, greed, and systemic failure.
“Buildings do not collapse by accident. They collapse because somewhere along the chain of planning, approval, construction, or supervision, individuals choose to compromise,” he stated firmly.
TPL Bisi Adedire on his part commended the department for sustaining the intellectual platform which has consistently addressed some of the most pressing Urban development issues confronting the cities.
He said the association would always align with any discourse that’s vital to improve physical planning systems, strengthening regulatory institutions and promoting integrity in construction practices.
TPL Adedire called for strengthening institutional oversight; promoting continuous training and certification; encouraging a culture of professional integrity; training the artisans and reviving and upscaling technical schools.
Dr Salau said the purpose of the gathering was to continuously acquaint the professional and the young generations about the best practices of building a reliable house and other structures.
“I believe this lecture would go a long way in reshaping the construction practices in the country,” Dr Salau added.
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