The Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, has charged professionals in the Lagos State Building Control Agency, (LASBCA) to upgrade themselves to modern trends in the Built industry and rededicate themselves to duties.
Dr Olumide gave the charge at a meeting with management staff of the Agency at its head office in Ikeja.
The Commissioner who expressed the confidence of the Governor in the ability of the agency’s professionals to stem the tide of building collapse in the State called for a concerted efforts from all members of staff to ensure that the mandates of the agency are achieved.
Dr.Olumide who shed light on the passion and interest of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu in ensuring the safety and stability of structures across Lagos emphasis on the need of professionals in the agency who are regulators to shun corruptions and be firm and decisive in their actions.
Dr. Olumide charged LASBCA staff with the responsibility of continuous professional development, urging them to stay abreast of the latest advancements in their field.
He emphasized the need for the agency’s personnel to be well-prepared and equipped to handle the challenges associated with their roles, reinforcing the importance of their contribution to the state’s progress.
He stressed that there must be consequences for any individual, including LASBCA staff members, found compromising on standards or engaging in practices that could jeopardize the safety of structures.
While pledging support for the professional development of staff, he assured of collaborative effort between the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and LASBCA in training and retraining of it’s workforce.
“I have absolute confidence in the leadership of the General Manager of LASBCA, Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki and his approachable leadership style, and i encouraged you all to work diligently under his guidance”, the commissioner said.
“Don’t compromise and don’t succumb to cheap blackmails from developers and property owners as doing so affects the Agency, Ministry as well as the state government.
“Iam ready to listen to your needs and demands that will make you excel in your daily activities that will bring to the barest the issue of building collapses in the State,” the Commissioner said further.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Olumide Sotire who was also at the meeting reiterated the importance of training and charged LASBCA staff to make themselves available to different professional trainings offered by both the state government and international bodies with a pledge to give necessary support to professionals to develop and equip themselves to meet the challenges of modern prevention of building collapses.
Engr Sotire said “Through continuous professional development, strict accountability and effective leadership collaboration, the Lagos State government through the Ministry is poised to create a safer and more secure built environment for its citizens”
In his remarks, the General Manager of LASBCA Architect Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, FNIA, noted that in the last one to two year, LASBCA has been standing straight and meeting the mandate set for it by the State Government.
Architect Oki pleaded for more support from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development by providing necessary tools and boosting the morale of staff in the agency.
High point of the meeting was the presentation of awards of excellence to deserving staff of LASBCA who worked tirelessly to ensure to the timely completion of the new agency head office recently commissioned by the State Governor.
