...Urges Builders To Comply With Safety, Standard Rules
As part of efforts to reduce building collapse and address some of the challenges in the built industry in Lagos State, the State Executive Council is deliberating on the introduction of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to standardise activities of all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government, especially the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.
Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, who disclosed this today at the 28th Lagos Builders Conference, noted that it was regrettable that the built industry in recent times has witnessed public condemnation because of the incessant building collapse and other problems occasioned by the use of substandard materials, the existence of quacks in the industry and, in particular, failure of the practitioners to imbibe appropriate procurement methods.
Engr. Adeyoye expressed regret that building collapse was often accompanied by loss of lives and property, urging the builders to take advantage of the conference to chart a course for a more professional way of building that would be safe and compliant with international best practices.
The Special Adviser noted that the theme of the conference “Appropriate Procurement Methods; Ensuring Effective Building Production”, was apt and timely, stressing that the Public Procurement Act (PPA) was designed to entrench quality, efficiency and safety, in line with entrenched global standards.
“It is a catalyst for success, a recipe for growth and the bedrock of sanity in every area of public procurement, especially as it affects the construction sector”, she enthused.
Adeyoye added that usage of the appropriate procurement methods in building production help the client (Government, Corporate or Private Developers) to ensure and promote sustainable developments by utilising available resources in the most efficient, transparent and ethical manner.
According to her, “The PPA helps in minimising cost through effective competition, protection of public funds, timely delivery of quality projects at the right price, and provide a high level of satisfaction for all its users”.
While recognising the impact of the professional builders in ensuring safety and standard in the built environment in the State, especially as reflected in the construction of numerous projects dotting the landscape, the Special Adviser sought the support and partnership of participants at the conference to achieve a built environment where accountability, transparency, professionalism and qualitative procurement process prevail.
As stakeholders who understand the inherent dangers in cutting corners, Engr. Adeyoye requested collaboration and cooperation with the Lagos State government to nip building collapse in the bud by entrenching standardised methods, weeding out quacks and reporting illegal developments.
“This is the way forward, it will help us to protect our individual and collective integrity”, Adeyoye asserted.
Also speaking at the event, President of the Nigerian Institute of Building, Bldr. Kunle Awobodu noted that frequent incidents of building collapse in the country called for great concern and the need for the Ministries of the Environment, Housing and Works both at the Federal and State levels to go back to the drawing board and come up with appropriate guidelines and regulations that would strengthen the ethics of the building profession.
Awobodu called on the Lagos State Government to continue to enforce the State Environmental Sanitation Laws and ensure that people constructing illegal shanties on waterways or blocking drainage channels or canals are sanctioned, adding that flooding portends a great danger to building construction.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Building, Lagos State Chapter, Bldr. Adelaja Adekanbi stated that the conference was aimed at identifying various challenges in the built industry and exploring ways that professionals can contribute their expertise towards optimising the gains of appropriate procurement methods for effective building production processes.
