On Thursday, the 16th of March 2023, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) carried out an evacuation exercise at 11B Sapara Road, Victoria Island, Lagos State. This exercise was necessitated by a whistleblower who had alerted the Agency about ongoing re-engineering work on a pillar section of the building premises.
The LASBCA officials, upon receipt of the information, promptly swung into action and arrived at the building site to carry out an assessment. The assessment was aimed at determining the structural stability and safety of the building.
Upon carrying out a thorough examination of the premises, it was determined that the building had to undergo a Non-Destructive Test (NDT).
A Non-Destructive Test is a type of examination that is carried out to determine the integrity of a building structure without causing damage to it. It is a highly specialized form of testing that requires skilled personnel and specialized equipment. The test is usually carried out by highly trained engineers who use advanced technology to detect flaws or defects within a building structure.
Given the importance of the NDT test in ascertaining the structural integrity and safety of the building, LASBCA officials mandated that all occupants of the building evacuate the premises immediately. This was necessary to ensure their safety as well as to allow for a seamless and unhindered test to be carried out.
It was after several hours of persuasion that all occupants were successfully evacuated from the building. LASBCA officials were then able to seal up the building after the evacuation exercise.
Speaking on behalf of the General Manager, Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, the LASBCA Assistant Director Public Affairs, Adetayo Akintoye Asagba emphasized the agency’s commitment to the safety of life and property of Lagosians. She stressed the importance of the Agency’s work in ensuring that buildings within the state are structurally sound and safe for habitation.
Building collapses have been a recurrent event in Nigeria, especially in Lagos, and have led to the loss of many lives and properties. The Lagos State government has, therefore, put in place various measures to prevent such occurrences. The LASBCA is one of the key agencies in charge of ensuring that buildings within the state are constructed and maintained in a safe and structurally sound manner.
The Agency’s mandate is to enforce compliance with the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Regulations, and the Lagos State Building Control Regulations. LASBCA is also responsible for carrying out regular building inspections to ensure that buildings within the state comply with these regulations.
The evacuation exercise carried out by LASBCA at 11B Sapara Road, Victoria Island, Lagos State serves as a reminder of the Agency’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all Lagosians.
The swift action taken by the officials of LASBCA in response to the whistleblower’s alert is commendable and highlights the importance of reporting any suspicious activity in and around building premises to the relevant authorities.
It is important to note that building safety is a collective responsibility that involves both the government and the citizens.
The government must ensure that buildings are constructed and maintained in a safe and structurally sound manner, while citizens must also be vigilant and report any suspicious activity in and around building premises to the relevant authorities. By working together, we can prevent building collapses and ensure the safety of our communities.
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