Implement technological solutions to address building collapse, Guild urges Lagos government

The Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) has called on the Lagos State Government to leverage technology to monitor building performance and prevent structural failures.

This recommendation was made by the coordinator of the BCPG Ikeja cell, Mr. Gbolahan Oyelakin, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.

Oyelakin emphasized that the use of technology would allow the government to proactively identify potential risks in buildings before they become serious problems.

“We need to implement technology to monitor building performance to avoid waiting for incidents to occur before responding.

“Technology can track the life cycle of a building, alerting us when materials are about to fail, which is key to preventing collapses.” said.

Building life cycle assessments.

He explained that life cycle assessments could help detect when substandard materials are used in construction, allowing authorities to intervene early.

“For example, if a material is supposed to last 10 years but a compromised material is used, the technology can predict how long that building will last.” he added.

Oyelakin commended the efforts of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) to improve building safety, citing its recent decision to demolish 15 unsafe buildings in Iponri.

He also acknowledged the agency’s proactive engagement with residents of these buildings to discuss necessary steps.

Data management

In addition to advocating for technology-driven solutions, Oyelakin highlighted the importance of effective data management in preventing building collapses.

He noted that data analysis could help authorities better understand how human behavior and cost-cutting decisions during economic downturns can affect construction quality.

“Data can reveal critical insights into how people make cost-based decisions during construction projects. Understanding these patterns can help prevent future collapses.” Oyelakin explained.

Oyelakin also highlighted the need for stricter enforcement of insurance policies within the construction industry.

He expressed concern that many builders have insurance policies only on paper, without complying with their terms and conditions.

“Insurance policies are vital, but enforcement is often neglected. The government must ensure strict compliance with these policies, with effective monitoring and control mechanisms established.” said.

He called for greater accountability and proactive measures to prevent building collapses, urging the Lagos State Government to take more significant steps to enforce safety regulations and use technology to safeguard lives and property across the state.

what you should know

The incessant collapse of buildings in Lagos has continued to cause concern among professionals in the construction industry.
According to the Nigerian Engineering Regulatory Council, at least 90 buildings have collapsed in Lagos in the last 12 years, leaving more than 350 dead.
The most recent building collapse in Lagos was recorded about two weeks ago when a two-storey building collapsed on Amusu Street in the Orile Iganmu area of the state.