NIOB Threatens To Sue LASG Over Incessant Building Collapse

The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has threatened to sue the Lagos State Government (LASG) over incessant building collapse in the state. 

Addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Ikeja, the institute was optimistic that legal action would compel LASG to fully implement its law against building collapse. 

The Honorary Secretary, Lagos chapter of NIOB, Mr Abiodun Ogundare, lamented that despite the existence of various laws and regulations, buildings were still collapsing in the state.

Ogundare hinted that several efforts made by the institute to curb the menace was not fruitful due to the impunity caused by inadequate enforcement by government officials.

He was hopeful that the forthcoming worshop with the theme: "Building Surveying Practice, Charting a New Course in Building Post Construction Services”, would provide an avenue to curb building collapse in Lagos and Nigeria generally. 

He said that NIOB is exploring building surveying practice as another measure to help government and other stakeholders to regularly check and know the structural stability of buildings.

The immediate past Chairman of NIOB, Mr Sunday Wusu, hinted that the revised 2019 Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) regulation contained enough sanction for defaulters that were not enforced.

Wusu said that a fine of N500,000 or imprisonment was stipulated for any site that a builder did not supervise the project. 

He informed that though the government issues a certificate of fitness for habitation but such buildings degenerate due to age, hence the need for periodic survey to determine structural stability.

The chapter chairman, Mr Lucky Isename, linked construction method as a major cause of building collapse, hence the push by NIOB for pursuit of right procedures.

He disclosed that Building Surveying is a new sector that is gradually introduced in Nigeria where fitness of houses could be determined through tests.

Isename noted that the institute carried out a survey on why old buildings in Badagry were still standing strong after about 100 years while new ones under construction were collapsing.

He noted that the results were submitted to the government, with recommendations for safer and durable construction.

The treasurer, Mr Philip Olusesan, enjoined financial institutions to request for building survey reports before giving out housing loans.