The Lagos State Government announced plans to close down buildings under construction that lack supervision by relevant professionals in the built environment.
This announcement was made on Monday by Gbolahan Oki, the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) while establishing an ad-hoc task force to enforce this directive at his office in Ikeja.
Oki expressed concern over the widespread non-involvement of essential professionals in building projects across the state. He emphasized that property owners and developers must ensure the engagement of qualified professionals such as structural/civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers, builders, and architects in their construction projects.
“The state has observed with dismay the non-involvement of relevant professionals in the built environment in building constructions in the state,” Oki said. “Property owners and developers must ensure that all relevant professionals in the built environment are fully engaged in their building projects.”
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He further stated that LASBCA would be conducting site visits and any construction site that fails to comply with this directive will be sealed and possibly demolished.
“The directive becomes necessary to safeguard the building construction industry and ensure that buildings being constructed in the state are done only by professionals who can vouch for their safety and fitness for habitation,” Oki added.
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Oki advised developers and property owners to engage only relevant professionals with current practicing licenses and sworn affidavits of attestation for supervising such buildings.
“The General Manager stressed the need for Lagosians to comply with Building Codes and Regulations to curb the menace of building collapse in the State and avoid unnecessary loss of lives,” a statement by LASBCA said.