By Sandra Ijeoma Okoye
If there is any recurring occurrence in Lagos housing sector that can be likened to an epidemic, it is unarguably the increasing rate at which buildings are collapsing in the State. Almost by each passing day, the city is in the news over house collapse. This is as evidences abound to show that for over a span of 20 years, incidents of building collapse have become a recurring decimal in the city with gory consequences on occupants of such buildings. Without doubt, Lagosians have in the recent times been witnessing a significant increase in building collapse that has resulted in loss of lives and livelihoods, as well as the displacement of families. Aptly put, the spates of building collapse in the centre of excellence as it is nicknamed, in the past twenty years have assumed a very worrisome dimension as many lives are lost and huge investments wasted.
It is not an exaggeration to say that statistics has it that the state now ranks number one in the frequency and intensity of building collapse compared to the remaining 35 States in the country, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). For instance, the collapse of a 21-story building in November 2021 in Ikoyi, Lagos, which killed at least 45 people and seriously injured 10 others, is still fresh in the collective memory of Nigerians, particularly Lagosians.
In as much as one can say that it would have been better to cite instances where and when building collapses occurred across the nation, it suffices to say that yours sincerely deliberately limits the scope of his view to Lagos so as to urge the leadership of Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) not to shirk its responsibilities. Without resort to hyperbole, building standards in the State have been in the spotlight despite the fact that LASBCA was purposely established to ensure that building collapse are pre-empted across the length and breadth of the State. Albeit! Under its watch, incidences of building collapse is fast becoming unprecedented.
In fact, building collapses are not uncommon in Lagos anymore, particularly as several buildings have collapsed in the state over the last decade, according to experts. As it is, it seems there is no end in sight. Therefore, at this juncture it is germane to quickly look at the responsibilities of the agency, and see what efforts it has been putting in place in its bid to ensure that the malady is ameliorated.
It is expedient to ask at this juncture, “What are the responsibilities of LSBCA?” The answer to the foregoing question cannot be farfetched as some of its functions include the inspection of building works and the certification of various stages of building construction and keeping of such records; removal of illegal and non-conforming developments; identification and removal of distressed buildings to prevent collapse and; the insurance of Certification.
Besides being charged with the responsibilities of giving approval to commence construction after obtaining development permit as well as Inspection and certification of various stages of building construction, it is also responsible for the verification of General Contractor’ All Risk and Building Insurance Policy, Issuance of certificate of completion of building construction and fitness for habitation, Identification and removal of distressed and non-conforming buildings, Public Health control in Buildings and Identification and removal of distressed buildings.
The question, how efficient has the agency being in carrying out the foregoing responsibilities is unarguably apt at this juncture as many people reportedly escaped unhurt at Ago-Palace Way, near Okota Lagos State yesterday, after the partial collapse of a two-storey building in the area.
Unlike what happened in Ebute-Meta where many people were trapped on Sunday, all occupants of the Ago-Palace Way building were said to have vacated the premises two hours before it caved in.
Reports from the axis said vivid signs of building collapse were noticed before the occupants rushed out of the building to avoid being trapped.
The incident occurred at Chris Igadi Street, in the early hours of Saturday but emergency operations which commenced immediately were said to have lasted till daybreak.
Again, the question will make anyone that wants to answer it become ambivalent or evasive except it is tackled from the perspective of LASBCA’s performance which is no doubt blighted with incessant house collapse in the state.
Against the foregoing backdrop, it is expedient to say that Lagosians will always remember how the governor of the State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, set up an independent panel to probe the collapse of the 21-storey building at Ikoyi. The Panel comprised of the Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA), Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), and other professional bodies.
The Panel was charged with the responsibility of independently investigating the remote and immediate causes of the incident and make recommendations on how to prevent future occurrences.
The investigation was not part of the internal probe instituted by the government at the time to get to the root of the matter on incessant incidents of collapse buildings in the State, and it is expedient to emphasize that the Governor vowed that the government will surely find out what went wrong and punish those indicted. The Governor, as a first step, directed that the General Manager of LASBCA, Mr Gbolahan Oki, an architect, be suspended from work immediately. The suspension was indefinite. Luckily for him, the governor reinstated him to office just last month, April 2022.
It will also be recalled that prior to Oki’s suspension that he said the owner of the collapsed building was given approval to construct only 15 floors. But his defence was pooh-poohed by the deputy governor of the State, Obafemi Hamzat, who said the building was approved for 21 storeys and not 15 as earlier stated by the LASBCA boss. Then, despite the disagreement on the number of storeys approved, not few people were of the view that if the officials of the agency had diligently played their regulatory role that the owner of the building would not have gotten the gut to flout the alleged approval given to him. Therefore, it would not be wrong for one to conclude that the collapse of the building was as a result of the erosion of professional ethics and due diligence.
Despite the magnitude of the issue, it seems the government is not in a hurry to find lasting solution to the problem. Against the foregoing backdrop, not few Lagosians are asking, “How many people have been sent to jail for building collapse? We just make our noise for one week, and after one week, the whole thing will be swept off?”
For instance, the collapsed building at Ebute Metta was reported to have already being marked to be a distressed building by LASBCA alongside other buildings within the vicinity, and hence earmarked for demolition with the occupants already served quit notice by the owner some months before, but according to some eyewitnesses, they refused to vacate until the building went down. The question is “Why was appropriate action by the government not expediently executed until the building collapsed?” Were they bribed to put the action on hold? The foregoing are the questions people are asking?
Be that as it may, Lagosians are asking, “Amidst Incessant Building Collapse In Lagos, Where Is LASBCA?”
