The Lagos State Government has introduced a new certification and training initiative for construction artisans in a bold move to curb the city’s long-running problem of building collapses.
The scheme, called the Certified Structural Integrated Programme (CSIP), was launched by the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory (LSMTL) during a stakeholders’ forum held in Ese-Offin and Badagry.
Block moulders, bricklayers, welders, steel fabricators, and concrete mixers gathered at the event to back the government’s call for safer construction practices.
In a statement on Thursday, LSMTL General Manager, Olayinka Abdul, described the initiative as a decisive intervention against tragedies linked to substandard building materials.
“Without artisans, there is no construction. But with you, we have the power to ensure every construction is safe, sound, and secure. We need to earnestly curb episodes of collapse in high-water-prone communities, and we do not want such in your community. It ends today,” Abdul said.
According to the government, the CSIP will run as a five-year assessment programme, certifying construction materials as fit for use. It will also generate a verified directory of block moulders, concrete mixers, and steel fabricators—professionals developers will be mandated to patronize.
“This is not just about enforcement; it is about partnership and empowerment. Together, we can forge an unbreakable alliance that makes Lagos a model for building safety and integrity,” Abdul added.
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Technical experts at the forum underscored the science behind the programme. Director of the Soil and Geotechnics Unit, Engr. Abimbola Adebayo, stressed the importance of mandatory soil tests before any construction work begins. Similarly, Kayode Akinfeleye from the Technical Services Department warned builders to always secure and preserve architectural drawings, describing them as “a core requirement in the Lagos building process.”
Artisan leaders welcomed the initiative. Chairman of the National Association of Block Moulders of Nigeria, Alhaji Fabiyi Oyeleke, called recurring collapses “disheartening” and hailed the forum as a positive step. The Lagos State Bricklayers Association Chairman, Mr. Fashina Aro, cited the state’s swampy terrain as a challenge and urged builders to ensure soil and material tests are carried out before laying bricks on any site.
The issue of building collapse has plagued Lagos for decades, leaving casualties and property losses in its wake. Reports by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild indicate that Lagos alone accounts for nearly 55% of all recorded building collapse incidents in Nigeria.
Recent disasters have seen emergency responders pull survivors from rubble, sparking renewed pressure on the state government to act. Authorities say the certification scheme will complement the efforts of regulatory bodies such as the Lagos State Building Control Agency, which has been strengthened to enforce standards and monitor compliance.
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