Finalization plans to synergise operations between Lagos Statw Government and the private sector through the Office of the Urban Development and Lagos State Building Control Agency, to address the challenge of building collapse is being implemented.

The partnership named, “Accredited Certifiers Programme” is focused at building the capacity of government officials in monitoring and enforcement of building regulations in the state.

Dr. Olajide Babatunde, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Electronic Geographical Information System and Urban Development disclosed this saying, the recommendation of the 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 called 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.

Babatunde said, the major aim for the partnership is to come up with a permanent solution to building collapses in the state through robust monitoring and inspection of all ongoing constructions as the government cannot do the job alone.

He said, “The synergy with the private sectors as recommended by the white paper report will enhance a better services delivery in some specific aspects such as monitoring of the built environment, screening of drawings and inspection of projects above 6 floors and complementary roles for stage certification of projects above 6 floors, an initiative that will make the building process seamless and more effective.

“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.”

For a seamless take-off of the Accredited Certifiers Programme to be achieved, several orientation workshops would be organised for consortium and individual professionals who meet the criteria of becoming accredited certifiers as asserted by Olajide.

LASBCA has been the sole enforcer of any form of building development in the state says Shodeinde Nurudeen, the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Urban Development.

He added that to reduce or eliminate the multiplicity of enforcement agents in the built industry, other state agencies and parastatals must interface with 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 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 noted.

Gbolahan Oki, general manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, reaffirmed that the organization would not support the erroneous construction of structures anywhere in the state and that it was prepared to demolish any buildings that were built without the necessary permission.

In response to the allegation that certain state master plans had been distorted, he stated that the government would not be reluctant to demolish any buildings placed on such sites designated for the public benefit because breaking the law is never an acceptable justification.

He advised, “Developers and landowners to always crosscheck titles of property they seek to purchase with the state land registry before finalising the purchase agreements.”