- Lagos Govt empowers, accredits private professionals as ‘third eye’ to monitor compliance
Lagos State Government has rolled out a new regulatory initiative to address the current inadequacies in the built environment. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, launched Certified Accreditors Programme (CAP) — a transformative model designed to foster a safer, more compliant and sustainable urban planning in Lagos.
The initiative, aimed at ensuring strict compliance to standard practices in building construction, was unveiled before a large gathering of stakeholders in public and private sectors. The event was held at White Stone Event Centre in Oregun.
CAP is a stakeholder-driven intervention proposed as part of recommendations by a panel set up by Gov. Sanwo-Olu in 2021 to advise the State Government on practical steps to address incidents of building collapse and attendant loss of lives.
The recommendation stressed the need for a strategic coordination and synergy between the Government and private sector professionals for a comprehensive supervision of building construction in Lagos.
Upon the Governor’s approval, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) screened and selected private sector professionals and consulting firms that will act on behalf of the Government as certified accreditors. They will complement activities of Government’s regulatory agencies in screening of structural drawings, conduct stage inspections and monitoring compliance to building codes throughout construction stages.
Sanwo-Olu approved and inducted 111 certified accreditors at the event, comprising consultants and monitoring officers.
The Governor said the occasion marked “a pivotal moment” in his administration’s journey towards a ensuring safer and more prosperous city, stressing that the steps would a range of socio-economic benefits that will enhance the quality of life for all Lagos residents.
The primary objective of the initiative, the Governor said, is to ensure the safety of buildings. Sanwo-Olu said by effectively reducing the risk of building collapses, the State would not only protect lives and property but would also foster a sense of security upon which a society builds its prosperity.
He said: “We mark a pivotal moment in our journey towards a safer and more prosperous Lagos, as we officially launch the Certified Accreditors’ Programme. This initiative reflects on the importance of promoting safe and standard practices in the built environment for the socio-economic wellbeing of our State. This initiative is not merely a regulatory measure; it is a transformative step that will help us foster a safer, more compliant and sustainable Lagos.
“The primary objective of this programme is to ensure the safety of our buildings. If we effectively reduce the risk of building collapses, we not only protect lives and property but also foster a sense of security that is vital for any thriving community. By incorporating private sector expertise into our regulatory framework, we are taking significant strides towards realising a range of socio-economic benefits that will enhance the quality of life for all Lagosians”
“As one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities, Lagos faces immense pressure to rapidly develop its infrastructure. The Certified Accreditors’ Programme will promote sustainable development by ensuring that construction activities align with established safety standards. This commitment to sustainability safeguards our environment for future generations, ensuring that growth does not come at the expense of our planet.”
Sanwo-Olu assured that the initiative was not created to disrupt the businesses of investors and private developers; rather, the Governor said the initiative would safeguard investment made into building construction.
The Governor said the accreditors’ programme would be the third eye for the Government to properly monitor the built environment and rid the sector of substandard developments.
Sanwo-Olu urged property developers, structural engineers, homeowners, architects and other stakeholders in the sector to collaborate in upholding the highest standards of integrity and compliance, stressing that the success of the initiative depended on the level of commitment put forward by stakeholders to ensure construction activities align with safety regulations.
“I encourage every member of the public to remain vigilant and report any case of substandard construction or unauthorised developments to the relevant authorities, so that the Government can eliminate the risks associated with building collapses and unplanned developments from our city,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, said the initiative would further strengthen ease of doing business in Lagos, noting that the programme was encapsulated in the THEMES+ vision of the Sanwo-Olu administration.
Babatunde said any building construction that did not comply with the State’s building codes would be stopped at the development stage, pointing out that those that could be salvaged and fortified would be subject to new permits.
To further address the menace of building collapses, the State Government disclosed that it would be rolling out Comprehensive Structural Investigation Programme (CSIP), a non-disruptive test that will be carried out on all buildings in Lagos. This, Babatunde said, will be done every five years to ensure safety of lives and properties.
LASBCA General Manager, Engr. Gbolahan Oki, said those engaged in the private sector possessed requisite experience and qualifications that would complement public regulatory actions in order to check substandard practices in the built environment.
“CAP is yet another far-reaching reform introduced by the Sanwo-Olu administration in the building sector aimed at achieving significant decline in the incident of building collapse in the State. This programme launched today will help LASBCA serve the people more effectively, while enhancing excellence in building control practices,” Oki said.
