Builders urge Lagos to prioritise property documentation

The Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has emphasised the need for government to prioritise property documentations.

The body also urged government to strengthen efforts to curb sharp practices, instill among professionals and regulators need for safer buildings.

NIOB made these submissions in a communiqué issued at the end of its yearly conference and Annual General Meeting, titled, ‘Safe and Sustainable Building in Lagos State Implementation Strategy for Lagos Physical Development Law and Regulation’, held in Lagos.

It suggested that builders and indeed all professionals in the built environment should upscale their level of professionalism through commitment to the state’s development laws.

According to NIOB, builders must be committed to the tenets of profession in service delivery, without prejudice or compromise.

They suggested that all forms of gratification should be discouraged by operators in the sector while identified cases should be reported to various government agencies or the Commissioner for Physical Planning to ensure livable, safe and sustainable city.

The institute lamented that the process of building approval is cumbersome, frustrating and could encourage malpractices, stressing that government efforts should be channeled towards controlling professionals rather than attempting to control buildings.

NIOB advised that clients aggrieved by the enforcement activities of government agents, should approach the state’s Physical Planning Appeal Committee.

The builders called for more stakeholders’ engagement and inter-stakeholders’ collaboration towards achieving sustainable building development.

“The clients are not paying for professionalism, yet the delivery of professionalism is part of the backbone to deliver sustainability-the clients need to be advised to do what is right. Enforcement officers should be professional while the public obey the laws and aim to build right. Much has to be done in the area of advocacies on the evolution of building controls and the deployment of technology in controlling and monitoring development”, NIOB said.

The NIOB said that with strata management, through the assistance/collaboration of the private sector, safe and sustainable buildings would be easily achieved.

“Most of the issues associated with development emanate from clients’ unwillingness to pay for professional services. Lagos state government has all the agencies required to enforce safe and sustainable development but the efficiency of these agencies is dependent on the extent to which the government funds them.

“The provisions of the urban and physical planning law of 2019 are a total departure from the old laws with emphasis on how developers need to take responsibilities for their projects. Also, the verification of insurance covers on projects has recently been electronically done to promote efficiency,” he said.