By LYDIA CHIGOZIE-NGWAKWE

The Lagos State Government says it is committed to sustaining its zero tolerance policy for building collapse.

It gave assurance of stricter enforcement of quality standards in construction across the state.

The Head of Service of the state, Mr Bode Agoro, gave the assurance during a retreat for management staff of the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory Agency (LSMTL) at Epe, Lagos State, on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the retreat had the theme: “Implementing and Sustaining a Zero Tolerance Policy on Building Collapse in Lagos”.

Agoro was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Mr Abdulrafiu Fashola.

He described the theme as timely and critical to the safety, economy and reputation of the state.

He said that Lagos, as Nigeria’s economic hub, was experiencing rapid urbanisation, making it imperative to ensure that all construction projects should meet required quality standards.

According to him, the state government was giving priority attention to safety of lives and property in the state.

“The integrity of every structure depends on quality. This policy is not just a slogan but a pledge to Lagosians who trust the government to keep them safe,” he said.

Agoro, who described LSMTL as the gatekeeper of the policy, emphasised that the agency must ensure that no contractor would compromise standards.

He attributed many cases of building collapse to the use of substandard materials such as weak concrete, poor quality iron rods and unsuitable water.

“The zero tolerance policy must begin and end in the laboratory. It is not enough to have policies on paper; enforcement at construction sites is key,” he said.

Agoro urged the agency’s staff to be thorough, fearless and proactive in their duties, while expanding site inspections and field testing.

He said that sustaining the policy would require continuous training, modern equipment and stronger collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

In her remarks, the General Manager of LSMTL, Mrs Olayinka Abdul, said the retreat was designed to move the agency from policy discussions to practical implementation.

She described the zero tolerance policy as a “survival imperative” for Lagos, noting that building collapse had caused loss of lives, investments and public confidence.

Abdul said the agency was undergoing transformation into a proactive and world-class regulatory body, with ISO 17025:2017 certification on laboratory practices.

She listed the agency’s key achievements since June 2024 to include expansion of laboratory infrastructure, establishment of additional sample collection centres and deployment of mobile compliance units.

According to her, these measures are aimed at improving efficiency, reducing turnaround time and enhancing monitoring of construction activities.

She, however, emphasised the need for proper maintenance of equipment, as well as integrity among the staff to sustain progress.

Abdul also called for stronger legal backing to penalise offenders, and urged the management staff to work together to ensure effective implementation of policies.

The general manager also encouraged collaboration across departments to develop a robust action plan that would eliminate building collapse in the state.

Dr Olugbemiga Aina, the Permanent Secretary in the Parastatals Monitoring Office of Lagos State, said that the agency was moving at a remarkable pace.

He commended its efforts toward achieving global standards.

NAN reports that the retreat brought together management staff of LSMTL and other key stakeholders in the construction and public service sectors.

The stakeholders are to deliberate on strategies for enforcing quality standards and ensuring safer buildings in Lagos. (NAN)