The General Manager of the agency, Mrs Olayinka Abdul, made the appeal on Thursday during a sensitisation campaign on the implementation of the state’s Compulsory….
The sensitisation was organised for market leaders at the Alimosho Local Government Secretariat.
Abdul was represented by the Director of Business Development in the agency, Mrs Abimbola Adenote.
According to her, market leaders occupy a strategic position in the construction value chain because building materials sold in markets eventually become components of residential, commercial and public buildings.
“You are not merely traders; you are gatekeepers of quality in our built environment,” she said.
Abdul said the state government had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against building collapse, adding that quality assurance must begin from the point where construction materials were sourced.
She said that use of substandard aluminium products, steel, concrete, blocks and other construction materials had contributed to avoidable structural failures.
She called on dealers to prioritise quality assurance by ensuring that only tested and certified products would be sold.
She also urged them to collaborate with regulatory agencies and educate other traders on the importance of structural integrity testing.
Abdul also urged them to ensure that their business premises would meet the mandatory testing requirements.
She urged them to report fake or substandard materials sale.
“We can either be part of the problem, or we can be the foundation of the solution.
“Let us choose to be the alliance that will stop building collapses in Lagos State,” she said.
She said that stronger collaboration between government agencies and operators in the building materials market would significantly improve compliance and enhance public safety
The officer in charge of steel testing at the LSMTL, Mr Tunde Lawal, urged builders, developers and dealers in building materials to subject steel products to laboratory testing before use to guarantee their quality and durability.
According to Lawal, steel testing remains a critical aspect of safe construction because it will determine whether the materials contain the required properties for structural strength.
He advised stakeholders to submit samples of steel materials to the agency for testing before purchase or use, adding that they should remain vigilant to prevent tested products from being swapped with substandard ones.
“Steel testing should never be overlooked as an irrelevant exercise.
“It is one of the key measures that guarantee the durability and quality of steel used in construction.
“Bring your samples for testing, and after the results, ensure there is no substitution with inferior products,” he said. (NAN)
