The Lagos State government has announced the revocation of permits for ongoing building projects across the state, citing the need to enforce stringent safety standards in construction.
This decision follows the tragic collapse of a building under construction in the Maryland area, which resulted in the deaths of five construction workers and injuries to several others.
Olajide Babatunde, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on e-GIS and Urban Development, explained the government’s stance during a visit to the collapse site. He was accompanied by Gbolahun Oki, General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
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Babatunde mandated that new project builders must reapply to validate their permits. He emphasized the necessity for ongoing projects to revalidate their documents with LASBCA, warning that non-compliance would lead to site closures.
“All commencement certifications in Lagos are revoked effective immediately,” Babatunde announced. “This applies to everyone with a construction site, including those in the Big Five category. Return to the LASBCA office to revalidate that document. If you decide not to go for the revalidation, we will seal your site.”
Lagos has experienced multiple building collapses this year, with five incidents recorded between January and May 2024. The Building Collapse Prevention Guild reports that 326 buildings collapsed in Lagos over the past 49 years.
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Stakeholders in the built environment describe the Maryland collapse as “one incident too many.” Besides the tragic loss of lives, these incidents deter new investments, especially from foreign interests, making the state’s real estate sector appear unsafe.
Babatunde stressed that these collapses were avoidable, attributing them to negligence and violations of building regulations by property owners and developers. He highlighted the importance of obtaining a Certificate of Completion or Fitness for Habitation before the occupation, warning of legal consequences for violations.
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As part of preventive measures, LASBCA will intensify enforcement efforts, including employing private consultants for inspections. Despite challenges such as limited resources and resistance from developers, the agency has issued stop-work orders and sealed buildings.
Babatunde called for collaboration from professionals to strengthen regulation enforcement. Oki, addressing the recent collapse, assured comprehensive inspections in the affected estate and demolition of unsafe structures. He underscored the necessity of rigorous inspections and approvals, particularly in areas with poor soil conditions.
“All construction sites must have a full team of professionals to ensure adherence to building codes,” Oki stated, adding that the agency will enforce strict construction hours and prohibit on-site sleeping to improve worker safety.