Lagos and BCPG call for compliance with building regulations and an end to construction

The experts appealed to Lagos residents, developers and other professionals to strictly adhere to existing regulations governing housing construction.

They argued that voluntary compliance with building codes and regulations would help achieve a zero building failure rate and thereby create a safe and sustainable construction industry.

They spoke as part of an advocacy program titled: “Public Governance in Challenging Times: Rule of Law and Protection of the Built Environment” organized by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, in collaboration with the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), Ikeja Cell.

Leading the appeal, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, argued that as lawyers, it was their duty to advise people on the need to apply for and obtain the required permits and consents before constructing buildings. He noted concerns about the current planning permission application, which the government has introduced to address and streamline the application process.

“Let us embrace the rule of law to effectively navigate these turbulent times, promoting transparency, accountability and compliance for a resilient and prosperous nation. Like any other industry, the construction industry is regulated by law, and the actions of professionals are governed by regulations. Regulations are needed to avoid loss of life, investment, injuries and other risks caused by building collapses, demolitions, land grabs and environmental nuisances,” he said.

He explained that in order to ensure a safe, secure and sustainable building environment in Lagos, among others, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Construction Control Agency and Urban Renewal Agencies, Materials Testing Laboratory, Safety Commission, Land Bureau, State Land Expropriation Task Force and other bodies with diversified responsibilities.

BCPG Coordinator, Ikeja Cell, Dr. Gbolahan Oyelakin, said the forum was part of a collective effort to ensure zero building collapses in line with the guild’s mission. He noted that there are many issues happening in the construction sector, especially fire incidents, hence the need to sensitize stakeholders on how to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

BCGP president Suleiman Yusuf said the BCPG and the NBA have realized that there is a need for society to fight for zero tolerance for building collapses, adding that the rule of law and environmental protection are key in this fight.

In his remarks, human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana, advised the government to tackle the problem of illegal development and demolitions by deploying more personnel to monitor and inspect buildings in the state. Falana lamented the lack of officials to ensure that properties are not developed contrary to law in Lagos State.

He stressed that citizens are willing to pay taxes, but noted that there must be a justification for discharging this obligation by providing social amenities to citizens. Falana noted that those violating the spatial planning regulations in Lagos are local government officials who allegedly allow all kinds of shops to open in places that prevent convenient parking on Lagos Island and other municipalities.

Falana further said that there must be reference to master plans when talking about physical planning in any society. He appealed to the government to give examples of people causing noise pollution in their surroundings, while the government also needs to take back the city, especially the parks.

Addressing the gathering, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Oluwole Sotire, advised lawyers not to help clients who want to avoid compliance with building regulations but to guide them to comply with the law. Olumide said when a building fails or is destroyed by fire, money is wasted, hence the need not to break the law.

According to him, the government is already working on domesticating the national building code in Lagos. Earlier, the President of NBA Ikeja Branch, Olawunmi Oluwaseyi, commended the guild for supporting the advocacy program every year and expressed confidence that it would make a positive impact by creating a safer built environment in Lagos.

The forum was attended by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olumide Adeyinka-Fusika, former President of the Nigerian Institute of Construction, Kunle Awobodu, Director General of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Babatunde Ajayi, Director General of the Lagos State Spatial Planning Authority (LASPPA), Kehinde Osinaike who was represented and the Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Environmental Planning and Monitoring Authority (LASPEMA), Daisi Oso who gave insight into efforts to ensure a sustainable construction industry in the state.