Lagos State Commissioner For Urban Development Identifies Causes of Building Collapse, Calls For Stiffer Punishment For Offenders

The Lagos State Commissioner For Physical Planning/ Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Abiodun Olumide has identified the use of sub- standard materials as the major cause of building collapse in the country.

He stated this Thursday at the gala nite of the 34th Annual Conference and AGM of Nigerian Institute of Builders, Lagos State Chapter held at ‘The Podium International Event Centre’ , Aromire Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.

The Honourable Commissioner who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, told our correspondent that it has been discovered that most contractors in order to cut corners use materials that are not up to specification which eventually leads to the building collapsing.
” Investigation has revealed that most buildings collapse not due to the fault of the owners but those in charge of the construction because some of them use sub- standard materials in construction.
” There are instances where a builder is supposed to use a 12mm iron rods but because he wants to maximize profit, he will use 6mm which can not withstand the structure and the building will eventually collapse with it’s severe consequences such as death, injuries or permanent disability “, he stated.

Dr. Olumide, himself a builder while stating that the Ministry under his watch is enforcing strict compliance to use of quality materials, noted that there’s need for proper collaboration between all those involved in building construction industry inorder to reduce the incidence just as he canvassed for stiffer penalty to be metted out to culprits so as to serve as a deterent to others.

” I want to assure you that my Ministry is doing a lot towards reducing the incidence of building collapse in Lagos which is not peculiar to the state alone.

” But just as the theme of this year’s builders conference stated, there must be more collaboration, corporation and inclusiveness among all the stakeholders in the building industry; be they certified builders, architects, quantity surveyors or draughtsmen as that will go a long way in arresting the ugly situation.

” I equally believe that it’s important that those who engage in this unwholsome practices that has caused death , sorrow and pains to many families should be severly punished to discourage others from following the same trend”, he stressed.

He advised members of the building association to sustain the unity that they’re known for and avoid anything that will tarnish the image of the profession.

In his remarks, the outgoing Chairman of the body, Thomas Adeoye, FIOB while advocating for the need for every building project in the state to have a certified builder, expressed happiness that he is leaving office better than he met it just as he advised the members to avoid practices that will make them look as quacks in the industry

” As I leave office today, I hold my head high because of the numerous achievements we recorded in the last two years. Though I’m handing over to a new chairman who will pilot the affairs for the next two years, but I will always be around to offer advices to him and I also implore the members to extend the type of support they gave to me and my team to the new executive.

“I also want to admonish our members to avoid things that will make them.look as quacks in the industry because if you’re a builder and you go ahead to be doing the job of an architect or quantity surveyor, automatically, you’re a quack”, he cautioned

In his remarks, the newly elected chairman, Builder, Owolabi Ayola Rasheed while acknowledging that he’s stepping into a very big shoe, promised that he will continue with the legacy of his predecessor inorder not to only sustain his achievements but to improve on it.

He called for the support of all the members to the new executive so as to make their job easy and move the association to an enviable position

Highlight of the gala nite was the presentation of certificate of return to incoming executives, award of excellence to deserving members including the Commissioner for Physical and Urban planning who received the ‘Star Service Award.

There was also music , dance and entertainment of guests to round up the two day conference.