The Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory Agency (LSMTL) has warned against lack of proper interpretation of materials testing results thereby putting buildings and lives at risk.
The General Manager of LSMTL, Mrs Olayinka Abdul, gave the warning at a forum with executives of the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers (NISTRUCTE), on Thursday in Lagos.
Abdul expressed concern on the dangers of quackery in the engineering industry.
“The results of materials tests are being interpreted wrongly, leading to buildings being constructed with substandard materials.
“This is a recipe for disaster, and we need to take action to prevent it,” she said.
The general manager stated that the solution lies in collaboration between industry stakeholders.
“We need to work together to ensure that test results are interpreted correctly, and that only qualified professionals are involved in the process.
“Just as laboratory tests are being conducted for scrutinising presented ailments with doctors stepping in to interpret so is the materials test results requiring structural engineers to interpret remedy for buildings in order to avert demolition.
“However, most of these materials tests are interpreted wrongly from quackery perforating engineering industry.
“Therefore, we are advocating a shift from our comfort zone at LSMTL by collaborating with NISTRUCTE to ensure all test results are well interpreted.
“Just because your building look seemingly distressed does not mean you have to pull- it down.
“Engaging the right professionals will help assumingly distressed buildings stand”
In his address, Mr Adeyoye Johnson, President of NISTRUCTE, Adeyoye Johnson, said there was a need to curb quackery in the industry.
According to him, it will ensure that only core professionals are involved in building construction.
He noted that certification and recertification are key to ensuring public safety and curbing quackery.
Johnson emphasised the need for regular integrity tests on buildings, particularly those over 10 years old.
“We need to ensure that our buildings are safe, and that we are not risking lives by ignoring potential problems.
“As the industry moves forward, one thing is clear: professionalism and expertise are key to preventing building collapses and ensuring public safety.
“It is appalling that builders or projects’ developers will expend so much constructing edifice and will never expend much in conducting proper strategy to ensure long- lasting edifices,” he said.