The Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) in Lagos State on Thursday said it was ready to partner with the State House of Assembly in enhancing regulations to curb building collapse.
The executive members of the guild made the pledge during a courtesy visit to the Chairman, House Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Setonji David.
The President of the guild, Mr Kunle Awobodu, said that collaboration between House and the BCPG was necessary in view of the recurrent cases of building collapse in the state.
Awobodu said: “BCPG is an independent body made up of various professionals in the construction industry that are united by a common goal.
“This professionals, since inception in 2011, have had passion for a safe environment and are patriotic about finding lasting solutions to building collapse and failure of structures in the built environment.
“It is a responsibility actuated by humanitarian feeling and the philosophy of giving back to the society. We promote standard construction through our activities and collaborate with relevant agencies.”
He said that many cases of building collapse can were due to the human factor made and should be addressed
Awobodu said that professionalism, quality control and eradication of quackery in the Nigerian construction industry would bring sanity to the environment and end losses to building collapse.
He said that laws must also be enforced to make things better and check people who usually want to cut corners and cost.
Awobodu said such people eventually become penny wise, pound foolish, spending more than when professionals are engaged.
“Don’t rest on your oars until building collapse becomes a thing of the past in the state,” he told the lawmaker.
Responding, David said the cases of building collapse had been giving the state government serious concern.
He decried the level at which people flout regulations and build without approval.
The lawmaker said that despite the availability of many building professionals in the state and removal of hurdles in getting approvals, people build without approval and still preferred patronising quacks.
“We have been having so many quacks infiltrating this profession. Engaging experts is for the good of our people in building. We are working together for the good of the people.
“You have proved to be selfless by thinking on the good of the society. This House would do anything to end this trend and make Lagos safe.
“We need to work together to come up with laws that will address the issues of building collapse. It is sad that our people find it difficult to follow due process and obey the law.
“I must commend your passion to make the state better,” he said.
David urged the guild to look at the existing laws on building control and come up with suggestions on areas that needed amendments.
He said the House would stop at nothing to end building collapse.
NAN reports that cases of building collapse in the state have claimed numerous lives. (NAN)
AYO/SOA