The Lagos State Government says it is mapping out ways to make the building industry and landed economy in the state more viable and compliant with demands of a Smart City and 21st century economy.
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said this at the fifth Lafarge Africa Concrete Ideas held at Victoria Island, on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, in Lagos.
The conference, which is an annual event, was themed: “Building up Safely: Government-Industry Collaboration”.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, said his administration was working assiduously to sustainably address the issue of avoidable building collapse, safeguard the lives of the people and prevent economic and financial loss.
He noted that the building collapse, which resulted mostly from lack of adherence to standards and quality when it came to building and construction, was one issue that his administration wanted to leave in the past as it forged ahead to a greater, smarter and more sustainable future.
“This government has been more intentional and vocal in sanitising prospective builders on the importance of seeking the input of professionals in engineering, building, planning and architecture before embarking on building of structures.
“As a proactive government, we are ever open to ideas and initiatives that are targeted at improving the living standards of Lagos and the quality of buildings being put up in our state for habitation,” he said.
The governor stressed on the need for government-construction industry collaboration to successfully curb the menace of building collapses in the state.
He said this would ensure that buildings were safe and fit for habitation.
Sanwo-Olu advised those in the business of manufacturing construction materials to ensure that they were compliant to standard and good quality.
Earlier in his remarks, the Country Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr Khaled El- Dokani, commended the Sanwo-Olu’s administration for the infrastructural development that the state had witnessed since the inception of the administration in 2019, which had continued to foster economic development and stimulate prosperity.
El-Dokani said the administration had continued to play an active role in promoting ideas toward improving the built and construction sector in Nigeria.
“Your continuous review of extant laws on urban and regional planning and development is an attestation to this fact.
“We commend your commitment to working with the private sector to further boost the growth of the building sector.
“We, therefore, seek your support in transforming these ideas into concrete solutions that will be beneficial to the nation,” he said.
By Oluwatope Lawanson
