The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has restated his administration’s commitment to ensure the built environment is sanitized and strict compliance to building regulations across the state is achieved.
The Governor gave the assurance while commissioning the newly built operational headquarters of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) in Ikeja.
LASBCA is saddled with the responsibilities of ensuring that basic minimum standards and quality control in building construction in the State are observed towards achieving a structural, safe, secure and sustainable buildings.
The Governor said that his government is committed to provide conducive work place for the state workers towards achieving optimal performance as the building would further reposition the State for effective delivery of regulating activities across the State.
“The commissioning of this building today, the Lagos State Building Control Agency, which plays a crucial role in regulating construction activities, ensuring compliance with building standards, and promoting safety in our rapidly growing urban landscape has been further repositioned to effectively discharge its responsibilities in line with the THEMES + agenda for a greater Lagos.
“The newly commissioned office will serve as the nerve center for these vital functions, equipped with modern technology and skilled workforces to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.”
“In a rapidly evolving city like ours, it is imperative that we have robust mechanisms in place to address the challenges of urbanization.
“This LASBCA office will be at the forefront of this effort at collaborating with stakeholders, developers, and citizens to create a built environment that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also safe and sustainable,” he said
In his remarks, the General Manager of LASBCA, Mr. Gbolahan Oki assured the Governor that his team will scale up their performance to ensure the State upholds the highest standard of construction and ensuring compliance with regulations that will be further strengthen by the facility.
He also added that the idea of the facility was conceived by member of staff of LASBCA, including the design and supervision to deliever such world class structure.
Meanwhile, Governor Sanwo-Olu used the occasion to address the procurement letter flying on social media on the financial spending by his administration, saying that the controversy generated by the letter was unnecessary because the State had nothing to hide in its expenditure.
He said his administration would continue to value objective criticism, but added that some critics hid their “malicious intentions” under the guise of playing political opposition to misrepresent the truth.
The Governor pointed out discrepancies in the figures quoted on the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (PPA) website, which misled the public and generated controversy.
He said: “Over the weekend, we saw on social media how some people can politically turn around all of our attempts to be responsible, transparent and committed to good governance. We don’t have a problem with any individual. We, indeed, acknowledged that this is the way it should be. We appreciate the fact that people can look at us in the face and say you need to do well in this area.
“We don’t have a problem with the originator of the open letter; in short, we like him and we thank him. Indeed, if we are seen as the Government that is transparent and responsible, we should not be shy of criticism. But it is only when criticism is malicious and is misrepresenting the truth, that is when there will be a problem.
“Officers in Lagos State have come out to show that there could be mistakes on some lines of items. There was a particular issue where an item was meant to be N2 million, but was written as N2 billion. There are many discrepancies which have been corrected by PPA. We are not going to join issues with anyone on social media. All we are committed to is continuous service to the people of Lagos.”
Sanwo-Olu said Lagos state had maintained open books for check and balances, pointing out that the State had judiciously appropriated funds to projects and services that benefited the residents.
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