ADVANCED MATERIALS TEST PROCEDURES: LSMTL COLLABORATES WITH OVE ARUP NIGERIA LIMITED

As part of efforts to ensure world-class results on building materials tests towards averting building disasters, the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory Agency (LSMTL) has held a strategic meeting with Ove ARUP & Partners Nigeria Limited towards an effective collaboration. 

Speaking recently during the meeting held at the ARUP’s office in Lagos, the General Manager of LSMTL, Engr. Olayinka Abdul reiterated the Agency’s mandate to ensure structures’ safety using qualified experts.

She said, “Some Agencies of the Lagos State Government have the core responsibilities of resolving issues relating to permits for construction, however, the role of LSMTL is to scrutinise, verify and certify the conditions of every structure using all samples of materials collected from construction sites. This is the mandate of the Agency which we would continue to execute till it resonates across every household to ensure that danger is averted and that the lives and property of residents are protected in Lagos State”.

While reiterating the unsafe conditions of some buildings in the State, the General Manager maintained that until tests are ideally conducted as a statutory procedure, some buildings might not be below the universal standards required for durable structures.

Her words, “That is why LSMTL will not refrain from sensitising the public about the Agency’s mandate in determining buildings’ safety, especially regarding our revamped processes for prompt and accurate results. We are determined to ensure that soil, concrete, water and steel used for construction purposes are authentic, genuine and durable”.

“So when structures are considered unsafe or old, we are the determining Agency to assess the components towards determining if the buildings should be demolished or not based on the results of our tests and assessments”, she added.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Ove ARUP & Partners Nig. Ltd, Engr. Adebajo Adekunle expressed enthusiasm in the collaboration with LSMTL towards averting building disasters which is important in the construction sector. 

He said, “This collaboration is crucial towards the upliftment of activities binding the Nigerian construction industry, even as we observe how effective the Western World have played significant roles at ensuring professionalism in the same industry without problems contrary to what obtains in our climes”.

“I have always advocated quality control in this industry regarding the delineation of responsibilities through the right experts so that their knowledge will improve every stage of construction work for long-lasting structures. LSMTL should effectively raise awareness and educate residents while promoting a culture of safety and quality in construction practices across Lagos State”, he emphasised.