News

Building collapse: Ogun’s materials testing laboratories

Published

2 years ago

September 13, 2022

NewsDirect

By: Ajibola Taiwo

In the recent past, the media have been awash with news of collapsed buildings across the country. Devastations caused by these incessant collapses are not limited to material and financial losses, but even the ultimate loss of human lives, which should be avoided at all cost. If only one life was lost to building collapse, it is one too many. Sadly, more often than not, many lives are lost to these avoidable catastrophes. What are the major causes of building collapse?

Professionals have identified poor construction methodology, substandard/poor quality building inputs and poor workmanship as the three leading causes, which show that barring natural disasters, the bulk of the responsibility for the structural integrity of any building lies with human beings involved in handling it and the decisions they take before, during and after construction.

In Nigeria, many people assume that once you purchase land, all that is needed is to employ the services of artisans to commence building. Findings show that a portion of the population disdain the need for professional involvement or quality assurance and/or control mechanisms in erecting their buildings, either through ignorance or the assumption that they can design and supervise their projects themselves. Little wonder the high number of haphazard developments with no consideration for functionality, safety or aesthetics, that litter many communities.

Human beings have been estimated to spend about 90 per cent of their existence in buildings, be it homes, offices, places of worship or even recreational centres. As such, the quality of buildings must not be compromised by any government that holds the protection of lives and property of its populace in high esteem.

This must be the rationale behind the accreditation and registration exercise embarked upon by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development for material testing laboratories in the state. The laboratories, designed to offer quality assessment and quality control to the built industry, are charged with the responsibility of conducting pre-tests, on-going tests and post-test for buildings and roads, all in a bid to ensure that the materials used in any construction work meet international best construction practices standard. Through Ogun State Building Production Management Authority (OGBPMA), one of the three agencies of the Ministry, three material testing laboratories have been accredited and registered so far in the State. These are Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta; Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro and the Ogun State Material Testing Laboratory in Abeokuta.

There are series of pre-tests before commencement of construction of any building. The soil test, for instance, checks the different depths of the land to determine the best combination of materials (water, concrete and sand) needed for the foundation work. This test is essential to determine the bearing capacity of the land, that is, if the land can carry the load of the proposed building, such that the combination of materials to erect a building in a marshland is different from that required for a rocky location. The test also takes into consideration the fact that a building structure settles every 10 years, and ensures that the technicalities involved in building are designed to accommodate that from the outset.

Furthermore, it is essential that the process of manufacturing building materials adhere to standard, which is why tests are also conducted during the construction period. The water used in mixing the concrete must be tested to ascertain the measure of acidity or alkalinity (pH level) for optimal bonding of the concrete; while the ratio of mixture of cement to sand (fine and coarse aggregate) to water is also essential towards achieving the workability of the concrete for the building. Physical and Chemical tests on the cements are conducted to determine setting time, soundness and fitness, while tensile strength on reinforcement steel bars determine yield stress, optimum stress and percentage elongation.

It is also important to note the possibility of testing buildings that have already been erected in a non-invasive technique. The results of such tests are often reactionary rather than preventive, but even at that, such tests can make the difference between collapse and longevity.

Why is it essential that Nigerians take the issue of regulation and quality control in the built sector seriously? Adhering to the testing and regulatory stipulations in the sector will not only serve as a preventive measure towards curtailing incidences of building collapse, but would also provide government with adequate information about structures, both old and new.

This information will create a database essential for planning and implementation of developmental policies, programmes and actions, relevant during and/or beyond periods of crises or natural disasters.

By going through the process, from the pre-tests to the final test, the owners of the building can also be sure that their structures will stand the test of time, and not become distressed after a few years of construction.

Moreover, going through the process will serve as a means of educating the owners on how to maintain their buildings to get the best out of them, while the propensity for job creation in this sector remains high if and when Nigerians begin to fully appreciate and involve the services of the laboratory.

On the other hand, is the issue of workmanship. In a lot of instances, artisans with no form of training beyond years of informal apprenticeship and experience, are handed the sacred responsibility of holding people’s lives in their hands. How? You might ask.

A large per cent of artisans in the informal sector do not have the basic working knowledge of why certain measurements must be adhered to, or why certain rules should be followed. They often rely on their discretion, gut feelings, estimation and intuition to make decisions that should have been made from a position of scientific and engineering precision. Such decisions, in the long run, can constitute a problem if it leads to building distress, or worse still, loss of lives and property through building collapse.

However, many find it cheaper to patronize informal artisans as they are found to be more affordable than their formal colleagues. For years, our society has operated like this, and the result is what is being experienced by the notably high rate of building collapse recorded in recent years.

To address the challenge of workmanship, regular training and sensitization activities have been introduced by Ogun State Government for the sole purpose of improving the capacity of these important members of the built sector. From the block moulders to bricklayers, carpenters to welders, all cadres of professionals involved in erecting any given structure must receive constant training to keep abreast of prevailing trends, realities and development in the sector. Through Ogun State Building Production Management Authority, Ogun State Government continues to explore this avenue to create and maintain sustainable towns and communities.

While such services cannot be offered free of charge, the determinants for charges depends on variables such as type/use of building. i.e. private, residential, commercial or industrial; number of floors; and size of structure, among others. Yet, paying a stipend to prevent the potential for future loss is an investment that many smart individuals and societies are willing to pay for sustainability and protection of the citizenry.

What’s more? There appears to be an opportunity for private concerns to establish material testing labs at the different Local Government Areas of the state, such that the services can have a wider coverage and better accessibility. This will, of course, require accreditation and registration with the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, but the availability of such services will ensure that future developments adhere to strict building regulations, regardless of whether the developments are in rural or urban areas.

Creating a functional, sustainable and aesthetically-pleasing society is not the responsibility of government alone. Individuals, organisations and commercial entities also have their own roles to play towards ensuring that our society becomes one that all its inhabitants can be safe in, and be proud of.

Indeed, the developed countries we like to cite as references all ensure strict regulations of their built sector, even in places tagged as general population housing units, and many Nigerians visit these places and adhere to their rules. It is only right that we do not resist the change that is necessary for growth and development to be effected in our own country.

Taiwo, is an Information Officer, Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

Can be reached via [email protected]. or 08063851859.

News

LASG connects over 688,000 poor households with stakeholders for poverty reduction

Published

28 mins ago

May 4, 2024

NewsDirect

…Certifies 603 pre-payment certificates for projects across 20 LGAs

By Sodiq Adelakun

The Lagos State Government has taken a significant step towards reducing poverty in the state by connecting 688,759 poor and vulnerable households on the register with SFMDAs, development partners, corporate organizations and other relevant stakeholders.

This was announced by the Honourable Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George, at the 2024 Ministerial Briefing held on Thursday at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.

According to the Commissioner, the Ministry has successfully registered 688,759 heads of poor and vulnerable households, comprising 2,681,507 members, as validated by the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), Abuja.

He revealed the registration has enabled the state government to provide a holistic approach to poverty reduction, improving the livelihoods of households through connections with Social Fund for Millennium Development (SFMDAs), development partners, corporate organisations, and other stakeholders.

According to him, “As a Social Protection Nexus and the custodian of the Lagos State Single Social Register (LASSR),

“The Ministry has been able to register 688,759 Heads of Poor & Vulnerable Households and 2,681,507 Members of Households as validated by the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), Abuja. The LASSR is hosted on the State’s website.

“These efforts aligned with Mr. Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S+ agenda.

“Deepening the Mining Process, the Ministry is currently mining data for various stakeholders, including Socio-Functional Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, Development Partners, Civil Society Organizations and Philanthropists to facilitate access to Social Intervention programmes aimed at uplifting the Poor and Vulnerable Households.

“A total of 592,602 Poor and Vulnerable Heads of Households (PVHHs) have benefited from various social interventions Statewide.”

Also, while speaking the commissioner announced the certification of 603 Pre-Payment Certificates (PCs) for projects executed across all 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state.

He said the certified projects were carried out collaboratively by 46 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in partnership with 410 contractors, covering both direct labor and outsourced services.

The projects span across nine sectors, including Economic Affairs, Education, Environmental Protection, General Public Services, Health, Housing and Communities Amenities, Public Order and Safety, and Social Protection.

According to the breakdown of Pre-Payment Certificates PCs, it was gathered that across nine critical sectors reveals a concentrated effort towards economic advancement, education, environmental protection, public services, health, housing, and public safety.

With 256 PCs allocated to the Economic Affairs Sector, 77 to Education, 75 to Environmental Protection, 62 to General Public Services, 47 to Health, 77 to Housing & Communities Amenities, and 9 to Public Order and Safety, the Ministry underscores its commitment to holistic development and sectoral progress.

Also, the Ministry has made significant strides in its efforts to promote economic growth and development in the state.

“The State through this Ministry has led another milestone delivery, as the first State to publish a State specific economic update tagged ‘Lagos Economic Development Update’ (LEDU) Report.

“The report summarises the State’s macroeconomic outlook, economic journey and prospects; projects the economic landscape and gives insight into the sector’s productivity for ease of access to economic growth and development,” He reiterated.

News

Oyo Govt unveils free technology skill training for 1,000 students

Published

36 mins ago

May 4, 2024

NewsDirect

As part of its effort to ensure quality and sustainable development in the education sector in line with the Omituntun 2.0 Agenda of the state governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, the Office of the Human Capital Development has revealed its readiness to train 1,000 senior secondary schools students on free coding and non-code technology skills.

The Executive Assistant to the Oyo State Governor on Administration, Revd. Idowu Ogedengbe, stated this on Friday, during a Press Briefing held at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

Ogedengbe noted that the initiative, which is aimed at launching a groundbreaking technology programme to empower senior secondary school students across the 33 Local Government Areas of Oyo State, with technology skills, will be implemented in partnership with some private investors in the technology sector.

He maintained that the training, which will be held between July 15th and July 19th at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, will begin with selected schools in all the eleven (11) local governments in Ibadan Main and Less Cities, while other beneficiaries from the remaining local governments will be trained at a subsequent date.

He said, “This pilot programme will witness an unprecedented event where 1,000 senior secondary school students from the 11 local governments of Ibadan will receive specialised training in coding and non-code tech skills.”

“The next phases of the initiative would see us taking the training to the remaining LGAs with a view to ensuring that the impact is widespread and even across all the constituencies in Oyo State.

“This initiative marks a significant milestone in our commitment to providing quality education and preparing our youth for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

“CodeGarage Africa has been at the forefront of promoting digital literacy across Africa, and we are delighted to partner with them in this endeavour with the support of Zeeh Africa and 386Konsult. We aim to equip our students with the tech skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the increasingly digital world.

“The importance of coding or non-code tech skills cannot be overstated in today’s society, from driving innovation to solving complex problems, tech skills are a fundamental skill that opens doors to countless opportunities.

“Introducing coding education to our senior secondary school students will allow us to lay the foundation for a future where they can excel in technology-driven fields and contribute meaningfully to the development of our state and beyond.”

Ogedengbe added that the programme is in tandem with the vision of Governor Makinde on education, as his government’s policy is not only to invest in the future of the youths but to also position Oyo State as a hub for innovation and technological advancement.

He, therefore, encouraged stakeholders, including parents, educators, and the private sector, to support and participate in the laudable programme to unlock the full potentials of the young stars to become leaders in the digital age.

In their remarks, the partnering private investors, CodeGarage Africa, Miss Dolapo Ayeni and her counterpart, Zeeh Africa, Mr David Adeleke, said training the students from the grassroots level is very useful to the ecosystem.

They added that it is another way of catching them young and also exposing them to entrepreneurship, even as they called for more partners to collaborate with the Oyo State government.

News

We registered below 3,000 data controllers, processors despite identifying 500,000 — NDPC Commissioner

Published

41 mins ago

May 4, 2024

NewsDirect

By Matthew Denis, Abuja

The National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji has disclosed that the level of compliance for the registration by data controllers and processors given by the commission is still low.

He revealed that they have only registered below 3000 Data controllers, processors despite identifying 500,000 in the country.

The Commissioner made the disclosure during an exclusive interview with Nigerian NewsDirect at his office in Abuja on Thursday.

Recall that the agency has notified all entities, including businesses, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and other organisations that collect personal data of individuals, that registration is mandatory in accordance with Section 5(d) of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.

The Commission had commenced registration on January 30th, 2024 to conclude on June 30th, 2024 and added that entities that fail to register within this time frame will be subject to penalties.

Dr. Olatunji while speaking to NewsDirect said, “the ecosystem is just revolving and a lot of people don’t really understand what we’re talking about regarding Data controllers, Data processors. That’s why we’re going loud to create awareness.”

The Commissioner stressed that they’re done with the first phase and very soon they will commence with the second phase the need for them to register which speaks on the reputation of their organization, compliance and credibility and one thing that this will create is trust and confidence in your data processing activities as an organization.

“We have up to the end of June, 2024 for all of them to register and we’re starting another massive campaign for them to register in the next two weeks.”

According to him in terms of compliance for registration with the commission the situation is still low.

He said, “When we started in 2022 we had about 1,777 data controllers and processors and last year it rose to over 2,000 but it’s very low when compared to the number of data controllers and processors we have identified in the country.

“We have identified about 500,000 and today we’re doing less than 3000 that means we have not even started at all, that is why we’re speaking to stakeholders and bringing everybody onboard.

“We have released the guidelines strategy telling you who qualifies as a Data controllers and processors and their categories in the country.”

The Commissioner emphasised that it’s their expectation that Nigerians will embrace the programme and key into it for the safety of the country with accurate data collection and protection.