The Lagos State Commissioner For Physical Planning/ Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Abiodun Olumide has identified the use of sub- standard materials as the major cause of building collapse in the country.

He stated this on Thursday at the gala night  of the 34th Annual Conference and AGM of Nigerian Institute of Building , Lagos State Chapter held at ‘The Podium International Event Centre’ , Aromire Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.

The Honourable Commissioner who was the Special Guest of Honour disclosed that most contractors in order to cut corners use materials that are  not up to specification which eventually leads to the building collapsing.

” Investigation has revealed that most buildings collapse not due to the fault of the owners but those in charge of the construction because some of them use sub- standard materials in construction.

” There are instances where a builder is supposed to use a 12mm iron rods but because he wants to maximize  profit, he will use 6mm which can not withstand the structure and the building will eventually collapse with it’s severe consequences such as death, injuries or permanent disability “, he stated.

Dr. Olumide, who is a builder states that the Ministry under his watch is enforcing strict compliance on the use of quality materials, noting  that there’s need for proper collaboration by the concerned professionals  in the built industry to reduce incessant building collapse 

He canvassed for stiffer penalties to be metted out to culprits to serve as a deterent to others.

” I want to assure you that my Ministry is doing a lot towards reducing the incidence of building collapse in Lagos which is not peculiar to the state alone.

” But just as the theme of this year’s builders conference stated, there must be more collaboration, corporation and inclusiveness among  all the stakeholders in the building industry; be they certified  builders, architects, quantity surveyors or draughtsmen as that will go a long way in arresting the ugly situation.

” I equally believe that it’s important that those who engage in this unwholsome practices that has caused death , sorrow and pains to many families should be severly punished to discourage others from following the same trend”, he stressed.

He advised members of the built industry to sustain the unity that they’re  known for and avoid anything that will tarnish the image of the profession.

immediate past  Chairman, NIOB Lagos state chapter Thomas Adeoye, advocates for every building project in the state to have a certified builder, while expressing happiness he is leaving office better than he met it just as he advised the members to avoid practices that will make them look as quacks in the industry 

” As I leave office today, I hold my head high because of the numerous achievements we recorded in the last two years. Though I’m handing over to a new chairman who will pilot the affairs for the next two years,  but I will always be around to offer advices to him and I also implore the members to extend the type of support they gave to me and  my team to the new executive.

“I also want to admonish our members to avoid things that will make them.look as quacks  in  the industry because if you’re a builder and you go ahead to be doing the job of an architect or quantity surveyor, automatically, you’re a quack”, he cautioned 

In his remarks, Newly elected chairman, Builder,  Owolabi Ayoola Rasheed while acknowledging that he’s stepping into a very big shoe, promised to continue with the legacy of his predecessor to not only sustain his achievements but also mprove on it.

He called for the support from members  to make their job easier to take the association to an enviable position 

Highlights of the gala night was the presentation of certificate of return to incoming executives, award of excellence to deserving members including the Commissioner for Physical and Urban planning who received the ‘Star Service Award.

There was also music ,dance and entertainment of guests to round off the two day conference.

Stakeholders in the built environment forsay the word collaboration cannot be over emphasized as there is need for all the concerned professionals  to work in tandem to reduce building collapse to the barrest minimum in the country 

They said this at the 34th edition of the Lagos builders conference held in Ikeja Lagos 

Th e conference and annual General Meeting is an anual rituals of the Nigeria Institute of building (NIOB)  to chart and fashion out ways to improve the standard of the built industry and eradicate the incessant building collapse in the country

Speaker after speaker they spoke on the theme collaboration, corporation and inclusiveness for successful and sustainable building delivery 

Chairman, nigeria Institute of building Lagos State chapter, Thomas adeoye says This year’s theme, captures the essence the profession stands for

“I wouldn’t say we have done enough because it is a continuous collaboration and we have to solve the problem as you can see the key note speaker said Nigeria has recorded over 500 hundred  collapsed buildings ,it doesn’t speak well of the built profession in this environment, that is why we need to collaborate .

We have gotten to a position where we need put all hands on deck  and come together to talk about this issue .And how do we do that ,that is part of what we are doing today 

Let’s come together and let’s see how we can address this

Let us see how we can introduce new building materials and how we can do so many things that all this quackery and even professional quackery ,I keep on saying that we have professional quackery .

We all have vital and key roles to play .

It is when we come together and sit on that table and now decide the future of the construction industry “. He said 

The conference and AGM which will run from October 22nd to 23rd at the podium international event center Ikeja

The event features  panel discussions, syndicate sessions, product exhibitions, networking opportunities

Thr event comes to an end on thursday October 23rd with awards and dinner night

Over the years the builders conference has remained an open forum for learning, dialogue and advocacy

This year the focus on collaboration and inclusiveness is about ensuring that everyone from government agencies to artisans play their part in achieving safer smarter and more resilient buildings across Nigeria.

Nigerian Institute of building (NIOB) Lagos State chapter on Tuesday held  a media briefing in readiness of the 34th Lagos builders conference and Annual General Meeting

This year’s edition with the theme, collaboration, corporation and inclusiveness for successful and sustainable building delivery captures the essence the profession stands for 

Chairman, Nigeria Institute of building, Lagos State chapter, Thomas Adeoye says the word collaboration cannot be over emphasized as there is need for all the professionals in the built industry to work in tandem to reduce building collapse to the barrest minimum

“We have to give the theme this year as the collaboration cooperation and sustainable in building the development and the reason for this theme is that we realize all stakeholders have to come together as one so that we can push the cause of professionals,because we always have buildings collapse,abandonment and sometimes due to known collaborations 

That is the reason why we decided to 

 call the professionals in the built industry to sit together and talk about how we can 

Push sustainability so that building delivery in the country is something everybody will look at and say we have tried ,that is why we choose that collaboration” He said

The conference and agm which will run from October 22nd to 23fd at the podium international event center Ikeja has lined up. Activities  that will be both educating  and engaging to the delight of attendees 

The day will feature panel discussions, syndicate sessions, product exhibitions, networking opportunities, awards and dinner night 

Over the years the builders conference has remained an open forum for learning, dialogue and advocacy

This year the focus on collaboration and inclusiveness is about ensuring that everyone from government agencies to artisans  plays their part in achieving safer smarter and more resilient buildings across Nigeria.