Collapse: Nigerian Institute of Building may sue Lagos govt

The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) may take the Lagos government to court to fully implement its laws to curtail building collapse.

At a briefing ahead of the Lagos chapter’s 4th Builders’ Business Workshop, the Secretary, Abiodun Ogundare, lamented the recurring incidents.

Ogundare stated that the institute’s efforts were not yielding the desired results because of the impunity of state officials.

“Maybe we will start taking the government itself to court so that the menace of collapse will end”, NAN quoted him to have said.

Former NIOB chairman, Sunday Wusu said the revised 2019 Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) regulation contains sanctions not being enforced.

He revealed that the law stipulates a fine of N500,000 or imprisonment for any site that does not have a builder supervising its project.

Wusu advised the government to stop relying on the issuance of certificates of fitness as buildings degenerate due to age, thus requiring routine survey.

“Materials used for construction should be reassessed to assist owners know the type of maintenance to carry out,” he said.

Lagos chairman, Lucky Isename warned developers against cutting corners, especially when constructing high-rise buildings.

He said the findings on why old buildings in Badagry still stand strong after 100 years were long submitted to the Lagos government.

Isename stressed that it is not possible to develop a three-storey building within six months or eight months, as witnessed.

“Process of building has to be followed; not because you want to make money, you put up a three or four storey building within a short time,” he added.

Last August, the Coroner who investigated the Gerrard Road building collapse cited “gross violation of regulations” and laxity of Lagos officials.