That Lagos is the nation’s ‘Centre of Excellence’ is not merely a mantra. It is a reality that is borne out of constant efforts by the State government, especially in the past twenty-three years, to constantly embrace innovation as a major tool of development.
Cheerfully, the government is not resting on its oars, in spite of obvious successes that have been recorded over the years. This is not surprising because innovation is a continuous thing. It is only cities that are innovative that will attract investors and by implication development.
This is why the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration is continuously thinking and working to improve the wellbeing of the citizenry.
To integrate innovation into governance, the government is taking on a leading role in promoting science, technology and innovation as core policy areas that not only hold the key to the State’s future, but could also make it one of the continent’s innovation leaders.
One area where the government is currently working to provide ingenuous ideas that will improve the way of things are being done is the built sector.
The influx of many people into Lagos, from across the world on a daily basis, in search of better living and fulfilment naturally leads to overcrowding, thereby causing extra load and apparent distress of most buildings, particularly in densely populated areas.
The desperate attempt of many to get out of the hook of terrible and Shylock landlords by getting a roof over their heads at all cost often leads to situation where regulations are deliberately or ignorantly circumvented, thereby compromising standards at the expense of people’s lives.
Unfortunately, as it is always the case with such major social issues, the consequences are often dire and weighty.
Over the years, the State’s Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, together with her Agencies such as Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), has continued to deliver on its mandates by ensuring thorough monitoring of new and existing buildings across the State.
No doubt, a lot has been achieved in this drive, which in turn have guaranteed that buildings in the State are well-planned, safe, healthy and accessible for the present and future generations.
However, since one of the underlining philosophies of the Sanwo-Olu administration is inclusive governance, the Ministry has been making efforts to jointly work with relevant stakeholders and professionals in the built environment to further enhance and regulate the scope of activities of its operatives.
This it has done by relentlessly introducing several initiatives including engaging stakeholders on the way forward, particularly in tackling the menace of building collapse and further preventing the needless loss of lives and properties of precious Lagosians.
One of such accomplishments and takeaway from the various stakeholders’ engagements is what has led to the innovative concept, Certified Accreditors Program (CAP).
The Certified Accreditors Program (CAP) is aimed at improving the operations processes of the Lagos State Planning Permit Authority (The Agency responsible for granting Development Permit) as well as the operational processes of the Lagos State Building Control Agency through monitoring and stage inspection processes in order to curb and eradicate the menace of building collapse.
The other leg of the innovation is the Certificate of Structural Integrity Programme (CSIP) which aimed at involving private professionals in building approval and regulatory process to enhance safety of lives and property.
By ensuring that all existing buildings go through periodic structural integrity tests, it is expected that the challenge of distressed buildings in the State will be effectively checkmated.
As it has been established, the twin innovation, CAP and CISP, were borne out of the need to arrest persistent building collapse and enhance trust in the system.
The CAP offers room for tested and trusted private professionals to be involved in screening of technical drawings for approval, in carrying out stage certification and in random monitoring and escalation of defaulting buildings for enforcement.
Undoubtedly, the notion of building right is a collective responsibility in which all stakeholders must play their roles. This is why the publicity and advocacy components have been intentionally incorporated into the programmes to ensure acceptability and sustainability.
As a responsible and people-oriented government, the Sanwo-Olu administration has designed the twin concepts to fasten building approval process, curb building collapse and enhance service delivery in the State’s built environment. This what every a responsive government that worth its salt should be doing.
Hopefully, the involvement of private professionals in building approval and regulatory process will birth a new dawn of efficiency, and relegate the incidence of building collapse to the background, while also projecting Lagos as a centre of innovation and a distinguished trailblazer.
These initiatives, together with others such as the preparation of master plans, signpost the resolve of the Sanwo-Olu-led government to enhance liveability and ‘Make Lagos State a 21st Century Economy’ as contained in the T.H.E.M.E.S PLUS developmental blueprint of the Administration.
Professionals in the built environment are urged to embrace the initiatives as a collaborative measure to broaden participation and protect the sanctity of the sector.
Both professionals and the entire State have a lot to benefit from taking ownership of the initiatives, among which is re-instilling confidence in the system and enhancing the sustainability of the built environment.
This innovative concept, if given all the attention it deserves, will ultimately address the various challenges in the built sector. However, to achieve this, all hands must be on deck.
In the words of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Engr. Oluwole Sotire, the engagement with professionals in the built environment is significant for its potential to herald a new era of efficiency and professionalism. This, could only be possible if everyone buys into the laudable initiative.
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*Odumade is Assistant Director, Features Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja. Lagos
