Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development on Tuesday flagged off the non-destructive and integrity test on Forty-nine (49) government owned structures within and outside Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State, saying test would be replicated on all structures within the state.
Speaking at the event of the flag-off, the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye said “the essence of the test is for government to be proactive towards identifying irregularities in developments within the state. This measure would prevent impending danger of dilapidated structures and certify the stability of structures that have been built right”
Ogunleye also noted that the importance of kick starting with government owned buildings is to send signals to the public that government is not only monitoring and enforcing but also testing its own building for safety purposes. The test will be carried out on all buildings in Lagos State. However, Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory (LSMTL) will be starting with 49 buildings within and outside the secretariat.
He reiterated that Lagos State is striving towards sustaining zero tolerance to building collapse. He added that the reason various government agencies particularly, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) go out to monitor is basically to ensure compliance to the approved building permit obtained from the ministry.
Also speaking, the Honourable Commissioner for Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan said “I am delighted that ministry of Information and Strategy building is the first to undergo this phenomenal and innovative test. Lagos State Government is interested in the protection of investments in the state. Several years ago, facility management teams were inaugurated whereby each ministry had facility officers who were assigned to ensure maintenance of buildings. Government not resting on its oars has gone ahead to carry out periodic non-destructive and integrity test”.
Bamigbetan posit that if government decided to undergo the non-destructive and integrity test, then no corporate organisation or individual owner of building must shy away from his responsibility towards the test. According to him, it is therefore imperative for all buildings to undergo this test in order not to endanger lives.
In her closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mrs. Boladele Dapo Thomas added that the exercise is a continuous one and is geared towards achieving a sustainable environment.
Nwonah Olubukonla,
Asst. Director, Public Affairs,
Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development,
4th September, 2018