Lagos charges LASBCA officials to shun corruption

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The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, has urged officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) to abstain from engaging in corrupt practices.

Olumide gave the charge at a meeting with the management staff of the agency in Ikeja, Lagos, recently.

He said, “Professionals in the agency, who are regulators, must shun corruption and be firm and decisive in their actions. There must be consequences for any individual, including LASBCA staff members found compromising on standards or engaging in practices that could jeopardise the safety of structures.”

“I have absolute confidence in the leadership of the General Manager of LASBCA, Gbolahan Oki, and his approachable leadership style, and I encourage you all to work diligently under his guidance.”

“Do not compromise or succumb to cheap blackmails from developers and property owners as doing so affects the agency, ministry as well as state government. I am 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 urged a collaborative effort from all staff members to fulfill the agency’s mandates. He appealed to the officials to familiarize themselves with contemporary developments in the construction industry and to recommit themselves to their duties.
He noted, “LASBCA staff with the responsibility of continuous professional development must stay abreast of the latest advancements in their field. There is an essential 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 guaranteed a cooperative initiative between the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and LASBCA for the training and retraining of its workforce.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Olumide Sotire, emphasized the significance of training and urged LASBCA staff to participate in various professional training programs provided by both the state government and international organizations.

He committed to providing essential support to professionals to enhance their development and readiness to address the contemporary challenges of preventing building collapses.

He 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.”

Meanwhile, the General Manager of LASBCA, Gbolahan Oki, noted that in the last one to two years, LASBCA had been standing straight and meeting the mandate set for it by the state government.