The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has issued a stern warning to building professionals about the dangers of overlapping roles within the construction industry. This caution was articulated by the agency's General Manager, Gbaye Florence, during a recent conference organized by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild in Satellite Town, Lagos.

The conference, themed "Building Resilient Lagos through Synergy," was held in the wake of a tragic building collapse on Ladipo Street in June that resulted in numerous fatalities. Gbaye highlighted that the construction industry cannot ensure safety and resilience if professionals do not adhere to their specific areas of expertise. She likened the construction process to a surgical operation, where various specialists must perform their designated roles to achieve a successful outcome.

Gbaye emphasized that architects should not take on the responsibilities of geotechnical or structural engineers, surveyors, or regulators merely because these roles are interconnected. She stated, "The government cannot do it alone, so also professionals in the building environment – the architects, structural engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical consultants, town planners – you can’t do it alone. We cannot have a resilient and safer Lagos if we continue to do this alone."

The LASBCA General Manager called for a collaborative approach among professionals in the construction field. She urged architects to focus on their primary role of advising developers based on their briefs, while structural engineers should ensure that buildings can safely bear their intended loads. "Let us organise. Let us come together and engage professionals," she added, stressing the need for a well-coordinated effort.

Chibuike Okafor, the coordinator of the conference, echoed Gbaye's sentiments, noting that the June incident underscored the necessity for communities to play a more proactive role in ensuring building safety. He remarked, "In the face of this tragedy, we realised that the government alone cannot do it all. As a community, we have a role to play."

Austin Otuoke, the chairman of the occasion, also addressed the alarming frequency of building collapses in Lagos, calling for a united effort among practitioners and stakeholders. He stated, "We have to develop a city we can bequeath to the next generation. Lagos must develop, but we must ensure it develops safely. No government can make the state resilient alone; the answer lies in partnership."

The LASBCA's warnings and the discussions at the conference highlight the critical need for clear delineation of responsibilities among building professionals to enhance safety standards and prevent future tragedies in Lagos.