Lagos sets to implements initiatives to fastrack building approval, curb building collapse 

The Lagos State Government has said that new initiatives designed to fasten the building approval process, curb building collapse and enhance service delivery in the built environment are about to come on board.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Engr. Oluwole Sotire made this known during a stakeholders’ meeting with professionals in the built environment at the MUSON Centre,  Onikan, on Tuesday.

He explained that the initiatives, the Certified Accreditor Programme and the Certificate of Structural Integrity Programme, were borne out of recommendations to involve tested and trusted private professionals in the regulatory process in the industry.

Sotire stated that the state government had embraced the participatory approach in coming up with these initiatives as the engagement with professionals in the built environment was coming on the heels of similar meetings with leaders of the professional bodies and other stakeholders.

He expressed confidence that the involvement of private professionals in building approval and regulatory process would birth a new dawn of efficiency, and relegate building collapse to the background while projecting Lagos as a centre of excellence and a trailblazer.

Earlier, the General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) Arc. Gbolahan Oki urged professionals in the built environment to embrace the initiatives as a collaborative measure to broaden participation and protect the sanctity of the built environment sector of Lagos State.

He added that both professionals and the entire state had a lot to gain from taking ownership of the initiatives, among which is instilling confidence in the system and enhancing the sustainability of the built environment.

Others who spoke at the event include the General Manager,  Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) Tpl. Kehinde Osinaike; former Senior Special Assistant to the Commissioner on Physical Planning, Arc. Dokun Roberts and the Consultant to the Ministry on CAP, Engr. Aileme Unuigbe.

The event was also graced by former Permanent Secretaries; the General Manager,  Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA)  Tpl. Ajibike Shomade and other functionaries of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development as well as professionals in the seven professions in the built environment.