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By Maduka Nweke
Experts in the built environment have charged the Lagos state government to wake up from its slumber and fortify its monitoring and evaluation mechanisms with regards to inspecting buildings to certify their safety level.
According to them, a lot of buildings are yearning for attention, with some having cracks and obvious evidence of wear and tear. One of the experts, Mr. Chikelue Adimoramma, a property developer in Amuwo-Odofin, noted that some of the government estates where they collect tenement rates have open cracks capable of hiding big snakes and cats, yet they remain focused on what goes into their pockets. “The government of the day has even taken to doing demolition as the remedy without doing the right maintenance to sustain the buildings. I don’t want to mention the estates, but government officials should go round the estates they call their own and even the ones from which they only collect tenement rates and be proactive to save lives before disaster strikes,” he said.
Another contributor, Mr. Godknows Eboigbe, a real estate agent, bemoaned the poor attitude of the government with regards to the maintenance of structures in Lagos State. He stated that the government is only interested in things that will bring in funds but does not want to spend a dime on putting them in order. “How can buildings in estates owned by the government develop cracks, cave in, and eventually collapse without the government acting on it? It shows a lackluster attitude on the part of the government. Many times, we cause the disasters that take the lives of our people ourselves because of mere negligence. The government should sit up and serve the people they promised to serve,” he appealed.
Recently, the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) urged the Lagos State Government to utilise technology for monitoring building performance and preventing structural failures. This recommendation was made by Mr. Gbolahan Oyelakin, the BCPG Ikeja Cell Coordinator, during a press interview.
Oyelakin highlighted that employing technology would enable the government to proactively identify potential risks in buildings before they escalate into serious problems. “We need to deploy technology to monitor building performance and avoid waiting for incidents to occur before responding,” he stated. He added that technology could track a building’s life cycle and alert authorities when materials are nearing failure, which is essential for preventing collapses.
Regarding building life cycle assessments, he explained that this approach could help detect the use of substandard materials in construction, allowing for early intervention by authorities. For instance, if a material is meant to last ten years but is compromised, technology can forecast how long the building will remain safe. Oyelakin commended the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) for its efforts in enhancing building safety, including its recent decision to demolish 15 unsafe buildings in Iponri. He noted the agency’s proactive engagement with residents to discuss necessary measures.
In addition to advocating for technology-driven solutions, Oyelakin emphasized the need for effective data management to prevent building collapses. He suggested that analyzing data could provide insights into how human behavior and cost-cutting measures during economic downturns affect construction quality. “Data can reveal critical insights into how cost-driven decisions are made during building projects. Understanding these patterns can help prevent future collapses,” he explained.
He also pointed out the importance of stricter enforcement of insurance policies within the construction industry, expressing concern that many builders maintain insurance only on paper without actual compliance. “Insurance policies are essential, but adherence is often overlooked. The government must ensure strict compliance, along with effective monitoring and control mechanisms,” he said. Oyelakin called for greater accountability and proactive measures to prevent building collapses, urging the Lagos State Government to enhance safety regulations and leverage technology to protect lives and properties across the state.
