Lagos State government has tasked the National Association of Block Moulders of Nigeria (NABMON) and all block moulding industries to comply with requirements stipulated by the National Industrial Standards, NIS, under the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) as a way of tackling the menace of building collapse.
The Acting General Manager of Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory (LSMTL), Engr. Olalekan Ajani, who stated on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ engagement with the leadership of NABMON in Alimosho area of the State, described block moulders as a critical stakeholder in construction works.
He said that it was imperative for the Agency and the Association to strengthen their already existing relationship, identify challenges and be united in the interest of the safety of lives and property of Lagosians.
Ajani added that members of the association must ensure that their activities are regulated by the Agency as stipulated in the 2015 Building and Civil Engineering (Construction) materials Law of the State Government.
“The essence of this stakeholder’s engagement with NABMON is in line with the stance of the State government on zero tolerance to building collapse. We identified blocks as essential components in buildings which, if not properly and professionally done to standard, could cause great havoc like building collapse”, the Acting General Manager informed.
He listed the agency’s requirements for assessing a block moulding factory to include the size, strength, dimensions, physical appearance, methodology engaged, among others.
Similarly, Engr. Ajani acknowledged that an inspection visit to industries within Alimosho revealed that some block manufacturers had made efforts to conform with established standards and called for more commitment towards total compliance.
In his words: “So far, the degree of compliance in the mixing, compartment and the curing processes by these block industries is encouraging. We as materials testing laboratory need to put close monitoring on these industries to ensure that the present standard is not only sustained but also surpassed while we also do recertification where necessary”.
Ajani said that the agency would soon commence the issuance of unique identification numbers and recertification of registered block manufacturers.
In his contribution, the National President of NABMON, Mr. Rasheed Adebowale berated the practice whereby owners of buildings engage the services of quacks to mould blocks for them, stressing that the practice cannot guarantee quality as basic professional processes would not be adhered to.
Also speaking at the event, the State Chairman NABMON, Mr. Rasheed Aleshinloye tasked the State government to intensify its sensitisation campaign through jingles and television appearances where members of the public would be enlightened on the dangers of patronising unapproved block moulding industries as well as the need to insist in quality blocks.
