By Olawale Abdul-Fatah
The Board Chairman, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA), DIG Israel Ajao (retd.) has disclosed that building control enforcement will be added to the agency personnel duties.
Ajao added that the addition to LNSA duties was to ensure that contractors comply with building standards and regulations in Lagos State.
He stated this on Thursday after receiving the management of Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) during a courtesy visit to the LNSC headquarters, Safety Arena, Bolade, Oshodi.
He, therefore, promised to assist the Building Agency by directing all the Corps Officers in charge of the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Developments Areas of the State to render necessary assistance to LASBCA whenever the need arose.
In his words, “I want to assure you that as an Agency of the Lagos State Government, we’ll do everything within our capacity to assist LASBCA and render necessary help in every way we can”.
The Chairman also promised to provide LASBCA with reports of distressed buildings which are usually part of monthly reports LNSC submits to the State Government.
Ajao explained that apart from assisting the police in Lagos State on security issues, LNSC also works hand-in-hand with stakeholders at the local levels such as Community Development Committees (CDCs), Community Development Associations (CDAs), Market Men and Women amongst others.
Earlier, General Manager, LASBCA, Engr. Biola Koseegbe, who led the visiting team to Safety Arena, had solicited for the support of the LNSC in a bid to ensure conformity with building standards and regulations in the State.
She expressed her satisfaction with the efforts of LNSC operatives during the recent building collapse at Glover Court, Ikoyi and Ita-Faji, Lagos Island, stressing that collaboration between the two agencies of the State government will not only reduce the spate of building collapse but also ensure the safety of lives and property.
While lamenting that builders and contractors usually flout LASBCA directives once its officials leave building sites, Kosegbe asserted that an effective co-operation with LNSC will ensure that contractors and builders conform to building standards and regulations.
