🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Lagos government urges market leaders to report substandard building materials to curb collapses
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
The Lagos State Government has called on market leaders to report the sale of substandard building materials as part of its strategy to reduce building collapses. The government also instructed market leaders to educate their members on quality assurance and collaborate with regulatory agencies to ensure only standard construction materials are sold. Olayinka Abdul, the General Manager of the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory Agency, made this appeal during a sensitization forum for market leaders, association executives, and construction stakeholders. Abdul, represented by Abimbola Adenote, the agency’s Director of Business Development Unit 2, emphasized that market leaders are crucial for quality in the built environment, as materials sold directly impact the structural integrity of buildings. She urged them to prioritize quality, partner with regulators, educate traders, and report substandard materials. Lagos accounts for a significant portion of building collapse incidents in Nigeria, with over 60 percent of the more than 180 incidents recorded between 2005 and 2022 occurring in the state. Abdul noted that stricter regulation and stakeholder engagement have contributed to a decline in such incidents. She also mentioned the state's Certified Structural Integrity Programme, which mandates structural integrity tests every five years for buildings to receive Certificates of Fitness, along with required soil tests before construction and various material tests during a
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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has lauded the European Investment Bank EIB for its backing of the Omi Eko Project, an initiative aimed at transforming urban mobility and enhancing residents' quality of life. During a visit from an EIB delegation led by Vice President Ambroise Fayolle, Governor Sanwo-Olu stated that the project aligns with his administration’s THEMES+ agenda, particularly its Transportation and Traffic Management pillar. The Omi Eko Project, meaning “Water of Lagos,” will establish modern and climate-resilient water transport infrastructure, including improved terminals, safer navigation channels, and enhanced commuter services. This is expected to significantly reduce travel times for residents. Governor Sanwo-Olu also acknowledged the support from the African Development Bank and other development partners for the state's sustainable transportation network. He further welcomed the EIB’s investment in Nigeria’s small and medium-scale enterprise sector. Fayolle noted that Nigeria is projected to become the EIB’s largest country of operations in Africa in 2025, with total lending valued at €550 million. He highlighted a recent €200 million facility with the Development Bank of Nigeria for digital and green investments by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, and a financing agreement with Wema Bank to improve access to finance for underserved businesses. Fayolle described the Omi Eko Project as a flagship European Union initiative in Lagos, fin
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