The General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Arc. Gbolahan Oki has identified attitudinal change as a major key to tackling building collapse in the State.
The General Manager made this known at a seminar organised by BusinessDay Media on Sustainable Building with the theme: “Addressing the Challenges of Building Collapse” held at Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday.
Delivering his keynote address, Arc. Oki emphasised that one of the key challenges contributing to building collapse is the prevalent lackadaisical attitude towards construction and maintenance by the people, adding that a change of attitude would go a long way in reducing cases of building collapse in the State.
Speaking further, he identified the lack of adherence to proper processes which includes non-inclusion of professionals in building construction, use of substandard materials, conversion of buildings without adequate supervision and engagement of quacks.
While highlighting the roles of all stakeholders in the Built Industry, Arc. Oki maintained that for there to be an end or reduction in the spate of collapse, all hands must be on deck and everyone including the developers and owners must do the right thing by adhering strictly to the building codes of the State.
Sharing insights into the role of LASBCA in mitigating these challenges, Oki stressed that the Agency serves as the overseer, by inspecting and regulating construction activities to ensure compliance with the building codes of the State.
He implored Professional Bodies to register deserving candidates as this would go a long way in promoting professionalism, thereby discouraging quackery within the industry.
The event was well attended by several notable professionals in the built industry including Mr. Kunle Awobodu, a Former President of the Nigerian Institute of Builders (NIOB) and TPL Suleiman Yusuf, President of Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) among others.
