\BCPG Urges Lagos to Use Tech for Building Safety, the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) has urged the Lagos State Government to utilize technology for monitoring building performance and preventing structural failures. This recommendation was made by Mr. Gbolahan Oyelakin, the BCPG Ikeja Cell Coordinator, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.
BCPG Urges Lagos to Use Tech for Building Safety
Oyelakin highlighted that employing technology would enable the government to proactively identify potential risks in buildings before they escalate into serious problems. BCPG Urges Lagos to Use Tech for Building Safety “We need to deploy technology to monitor building performance and avoid waiting for incidents to occur before responding,” he stated. He added that technology could track a building’s life cycle and alert authorities when materials are nearing failure, which is essential for preventing collapses.
Regarding building life cycle assessments, he explained that this approach could help detect the use of substandard materials in construction, allowing for early intervention by authorities. For instance, if a material is meant to last ten years but is compromised, technology can forecast how long the building will remain safe.
Oyelakin commended the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) for its efforts in enhancing building safety, including its recent decision to demolish 15 unsafe buildings in Iponri. He noted the agency’s proactive engagement with residents to discuss necessary measures.
In addition to advocating for technology-driven solutions, Oyelakin emphasized the need for effective data management to prevent building collapses. He suggested that analyzing data could provide insights into how human behavior and cost-cutting measures during economic downturns affect construction quality. “Data can reveal critical insights into how cost-driven decisions are made during building projects. Understanding these patterns can help prevent future collapses,” he explained.
He also pointed out the importance of stricter enforcement of insurance policies within the construction industry, expressing concern that many builders maintain insurance only on paper without actual compliance. “Insurance policies are essential, but adherence is often overlooked. The government must ensure strict compliance, along with effective monitoring and control mechanisms,” he said.
Oyelakin called for greater accountability and proactive measures to prevent building collapses, urging the Lagos State Government to enhance safety regulations and leverage technology to protect lives and properties across the state.
What you should know:
The ongoing issue of building collapses in Lagos has raised significant concerns among construction professionals. According to the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, at least 90 buildings have collapsed in the past 12 years, resulting in over 350 fatalities. The most recent collapse occurred two weeks ago when a two-storey building fell on Amusu Street in the Orile Iganmu area of the state.
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