Piqued by last week’s building collapse in Idumota, Lagos Island, where several people lost lives and property, Lagos authorities have unfolded new measures to stem the tide.

The measures announced by the state’s Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development inclu-des the immediate take-off of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), an agency created almost 13 months ago for the enforcement of building control regulations and implementation of the 2010 Physical Planning, Urban Development and Building Law.

For sometime now, incidences of building collapse have assumed an alarming proportion. In fact, the Nigerian Society of Engin-eers through it’s Structural Engineering Division, the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers (NIStr-uctE) has called for greater enforcement of the laws and regulations within the building industry as some developers are erecting buildings without the necessary approvals and without the equally necessary technical expertise.

Many structures in the country are built without approved plans and do not adhere to laid down laws and building regulations. Even when approved plans exist, the developers or owners refuse to follow specifications as contained in the plan and cut corners. They say that the construction of a building is expected to be managed by qualified professionals, including structural engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, architects, and quantity surveyors.

Specifically, the ministry also plans an immediate review of the report on distressed buildings between 2008-2010 when Lagos witnessed couples of buildings collapse.  Senior officials of the ministry also expressed the need to ensure that all buildings above one storey comply with insurance certification.

Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola who announced the immediate take off of the agency, called for an inter-ministerial collaboration between ministries of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Housing and Environment on measures that would put an end to the unfortunate incidences of building collapse.

Among the immediate measures taken is the sealing off of three buildings that officials in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development descri-bed as “visibly distressed”, with eventual demolition after a thorough investigation by relevant departments.  The three buildings are located at 67, Agoro Street, adjacent to the collapsed building at 2, Mogaji Street, 66, Obuneko Street and 26, John Street, also in Idumota.

The newly appointed Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Toyin Ayinde, a town planner, and Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Bosun Jeje and Perma-nent Secretaries from the two ministries who visited the site assured residents that necessary action would be taken to save lives and property in the state.

According to Ayinde, while government would not embark on indiscriminate pulling down of buildings, efforts would not be spared to ensure that those buildings, which constitute danger, would need to go. He said, adding that the collapsed building came down as a result of poor construction mix whereby the sand-cement mix is very low, with inappropriate iron rods for reinforcement.

The commissioner stated that some of the distressed buildings were unapproved and were built several years ago when order was not in place. He stressed that the era of indiscriminate building is over in Lagos, “as government will no longer tolerate unlawful construction”.

While reminding Ayinde that close to 145 buildings that were said to be in a distressed state had already been earmarked for demolition between 2007/2010, he said he would study the recommendation and make his position known at the State Executive Council meeting.

“There wouldn’t be difficulty in revocation of building plan approval if such property constitutes threats to the public. Government will not hesitate to revoke any building plan approvals from any developer who deviates from stipulated guidelines after approval has been granted”, adding that it has been discovered that most developers upon obtaining building plan approval go ahead to change designs and specifications of buildings for reasons best known to them.

He said further that henceforth any visibly distressed building in Lagos State would be thoroughly examined and based on the result of the test; evacuation of lives and property will be effected before eventual removal of any such building, while the developer will also be prosecuted according to the law.

Among the functions of the LASBCA is the inspection of building works and the certification of various stages of building construction and keeping of such records.  The agency is also responsible for the removal of illegal and non-conforming developments, identification and removal of distressed buildings to prevent collapse and the issuance of Certificate of Completion and Fitness for Habitation.

Other responsibilities to be performed by the Building Control Agency include the provision of building services such as material evaluation and testing, fire and public health control; establishment of District Development Control Offices for the discharge of these functions; Conducting research in building construction and control; Cooperating with the Development Permit Authority to achieve zero tolerance of illegal developments; Enforcing the provisions of the new law and any regulations that may be made under the law for inspection of building, verification and certification of building insurance, among other powers.

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Source: The Guardian