… Set To Commence Stiffer Enforcement On Sub-Standard Products
The Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory (LSMTL) Agency has charged block moulders and other stakeholders in the built industry to prioritise quality over cost impeded by economic challenges in averting building collapse/disaster across the Lagos Metropolis.
Speaking during a stakeholders forum held on Wednesday with block moulders, themed: “Maintaining the Quality of Sandcrete Blocks in an Environment with Volatile Production Costs’’, the General Manager of LSMTL, Engr. Olayinka Abdul called for the undiluted production of Sandcrete blocks that are of good value and durability in curbing episodes of collapse across the Lagos Metropolis.
Speaking further at an event organised in collaboration with the Building Collapse Prevention Guild, Ayobo-Ipaja Cell, Engr. Abdul said that prioritising quality over cost in the construction industry would ensure the safety and durability of structures, especially in an environment with fluctuating material costs.
In her words, “The rising challenges in our industry reflect a critical juncture where we must reaffirm our commitment not only to quality but to the safety and integrity of the structures which we build. We must be united in a common purpose, to mitigate the risks that contribute to building collapse while promoting sustainable construction practices”.
“The statistics of building collapse are alarming. Building collapses not only lead to loss of lives but also represent significant economic costs, community trauma, and a breach of the trust our society places on us as builders and enforcers of safety. Remember, good blocks will enhance the job of the Architect and Civil Engineer on the job’’, she said.
While reiterating the mandate and commitment of the Agency to Materials Testing, Engr. Abdul disclosed that LSMTL was determined to play a vital role in maintaining the quality of sandcrete blocks and promoting sustainable construction practices in Lagos State.
She explained that sandcrete blocks, which are types of building materials made from a mixture of cement, sand, and water, are commonly used in construction for building walls and partitions, play a crucial role in the structural integrity of buildings due to their affordability, availability, and versatility. Even as they directly influenced the safety and durability of building structures.
The General Manager averred, “When we compromise on quality, whether due to the rush of production, substandard materials, or cost-cutting measures, the repercussions can be dire. The production of sandcrete blocks is heavily influenced by the cost of raw materials, labour, and logistics”.
“However, in an environment characterised by fluctuating prices, it is easy to see how some producers may be tempted to prioritise cost over quality. Yet, it is precisely in these challenging times that we must reaffirm our commitment to maintaining and enhancing the quality of our products. I sincerely implore you to take this seriously because it has to do with lives. All components of block making must be to provide succour for its consumers and not jeopardize their well-being’’.
She outlined several strategies for maintaining the quality of construction materials, including being systematic in facing fluctuating costs and availability, identifying alternative materials that could meet quality standards without significantly increasing costs, investing in sustainable materials, and collaborating with local suppliers to reduce costs and improve access to materials.
In his address, Mr. Adesegun Banjoko, the National President, National Association of Block Moulders of Nigeria (NABMON), called on LSMTL and other regulatory Agencies, such as SON, to collaborate with the association to improve the quality of sandcrete blocks.
He expressed concern that the regulatory agencies might not have the necessary resources to adequately oversee and enforce quality standards.
Mr. Banjoko said that the Association, with its extensive reach across Nigeria, especially in Lagos State, was well-positioned to support regulatory efforts by identifying and overseeing block producers.
He informed that the Association had issued digital ID cards to its members, which could be used to verify their legitimacy and identify quacks.
According to the representative of the Standard Organization of Nigeria, Hajia Jamila Yushua, in checking the incessant episodes of building ‘collapse, 2.5mm tolerance of block density is approved state-wide under a revised standard of NIS978:2022, which marks safety as ultimate in erecting durable structures.
The highlight of the event was the practical demonstration of the processes and quantities involved in making Sandcrete blocks that will stand the test of time for building projects.
