Nigerian Institute of Building Lagos State Chapter Harps On Importance of Building Condition Survey

With Lagos State accounting for more than 55% of the 600 building collapse incidents recorded in the country between1974 and 2004, the Lagos State chapter of Nigerian Institute of Building says that it will now place special emphasis on the importance of building Condition Survey for Renovation and Remodeling Projects in the state just as it canvassed for collaboration among various professionals in the building industry.

This was disclosed by the Chairman of the chapter, Bldr. Owolabi Rasheed Ayoola FNIOB Monday during a press conference to herald this year’s Builders’ Week.

According to him, Builders’ Week is more than a celebration of professional builders, it is a platform for advocacy, public engagement and policy dialogue on building safety, sustainability and resilience in the country’s cities which they will be championing during the weeklong celebration and beyond.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s celebration tagged, ‘Advocacy and Policy Influence Towards Sustainable Reforms For A Resilient Built Environment’, he described it as underscoring the urgent need for collaboration among professionals, regulators, government agencies and the public to drive reforms that will ensure safe, durable and sustainable buildings.

“Lagos is a rapidly growing urban centre. Renovation, remodeling and adaptive use of buildings are increasingly common. While redevelopment signals progress, it also introduces structural risks when projects are executed without professional assessment.

” A building Condition Survey, is a professional assessment that evaluates a building structural integrity, material condition and overall performance before renovation or remodeling.

“Without this survey, buildings are often altered in ways that compromise safety potentially leading to structural distress or collapse

The builders while commending the Lagos State Government for the good work it’s agencies such as Lagos State Control Agency, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority and the state’s Material Testing Laboratory are doing in enforcing in enforcing regulations, issuing permits and monitoring construction quality which have laid a strong foundation for safer construction, however, advocated for building condition survey to be formal requirements for major renovation or remodeling projects, vertical extensions or change of building use and periodic structural audits for aging and high occupancy buildings.

” We believe that if these building condition surveys are implemented, it will provide early detection of structural weaknesses, reduce preventable building failures and support evidence- based decisions for renovation because safe buildings are not achieved by chance, they result from professional diligence, regulatory compliance and responsible maintenance.

Also speaking, the 3rd National Vice President of the association who also doubles as Dean of Faculty of Environmental Studies, Yaba College of Technology, Bldr. Dr. Aladeloba Adesina Emmanuel regretted that a lot of people are not aware of the role of builders and keep on mixing them with other professionals.

” It’s unfortunate that many people in this country don’t know the role of builders neither do they know that there are seven professionals that are involved in building and that’s why the theme of this year’s celebration which talks about advocacy is very important.

Dr. Adesina while explaining that one person cannot perform two functions in a building project, charged journalists to join the advocacy campaign so that people will be aware of the functions of various professionals in building projects and also enable policy makers put in place strong monitoring group and regulators that will ensure implementation of laws in building projects.

This year’s Builders’ week will witness technical lectures, stakeholders engagement and public awareness campaigns to promote best practices , professional accountability and public safety in building projects.