Ogun moves to enforce building certification, train field officers
By Owoleye Oluwakayode
The Ogun State Government has reinforced its determination to ensure quality assurance and control, as well as building the capacity of its professionals to achieve a maximum efficient job delivery in the built sector of the State.
The Acting General Manager, Ogun State Building Production Management Authority, Arc. Aderonke Afolabi, made this known at the opening of a-day training for Architects, Engineers and Builders on “Ogun State Physical Planning and Urban Development, Law and Building Management Regulations 2020” in Abeokuta.
Arch. Afolabi said government was intensifying effort to adequately equip its officers on statutory laws and regulations of the agency, with a multiplying effects on the relevant stakeholders, such as developers and members of the public, noting that compliance on building certification, services, among others are the steps government is taking towards enforcing necessary building laws and regulations across the State.
In her words, “The government has approved this training to intimate and equip you adequately, with necessary knowledge about our laws and regulations, also its applications, bearing in mind that you are critical stakeholders to enforcing and ensuring adherence to building protocols and regulations.”
On his part, one of the facilitators, Engr. Deji Shoyemi, who is also the Director, Building Certification, spoke extensively on what was expected of the participants, to stage building constructions before it is certified for habitation.
Shoyemi highlighted some of the factors that professionals were expected to carry out statutorily, at the first stage of construction to include verification of approved Planning Permit, contractors’ approval, risk insurance, adherence to site safety protocols, observance of safety warning signs, provision of site toilets, erection of project information board, proper hoarding of site and materials, to prevent obstruction of pedestrian access, among others.
He stated that necessary procedures for stage certification must also be followed, by conducting statutory and routine compliance checks, in line with the stipulated guidelines, adding that developers must submit and provide all information on approved plans to the building authority, and give it a notice of commencement of construction.
One of the participants, Builder Ibrahim Balogun, who spoke, on behalf of others, commended the State government for the initiative, saying the training has further deepened their knowledge and sharpened their skills, towards promoting quality assurance and standards in building.
