‘Building code domestication in Lagos under review’

The President, Nigerian Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment, Dr. Waliu Adeolu, has said that the national building code and its domestication in Lagos are being reviewed.

He disclosed this at the recent 7th NAEGE Annual International Conference, themed, “Engineering Geology – Imperatives for Infrastructural Development and Sustainability of Cities in Africa.”

Adeolu said, “In a bit of progress, the NAEGE National Executive Council would like to note that our efforts at entrenching engineering geological practice in Nigeria are receiving a boost with the recent advocacy we have embarked upon.

“Consequently, Nigeria’s national building code and its domestication in Lagos are being reviewed. This is directed at stemming the incessant building collapse, loss of human resources and properties, and the associated environmental degradation. NAEGE plays a leading role in the process.”

Adeolu also pointed out that low-lying coastal cities were at risk of extinction.

He said, “Africa’s regional neotectonism and seismology are generating hazards, begging for earthquake engineering geological competencies, and the need for codification of seismic geotechnical investigations, geostructural design and construction of earthquake-resistant infrastructures for African cities.

“Global temperature trends and predictions also depict an unabated rise in the next decades, indicating the challenge of global carbon dioxide management and climate change posed to ground engineering and geotechnological strategies for environmental sustainability in our once serene earth.

“Low-lying coastal cities at risk of extinction from rising sea levels, flooding and stalinisation in our groundwater aquifers underscores the need for climate change adaptation, mitigation strategies, and sustainable geotechnical practices for the sustainability of cities in Africa and the globe at large.”

The Vice President, International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment, Prof. T.K.S Abam, said the conference served as avenue to increase public awareness on the important roles of engineering geology in development.

He said, “We believe that our members have a responsibility to assume stewardship over their fields of expertise.”

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-olu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Omotayo Bamgbose-Martins, said the government did not have the monopoly of knowledge with regard to finding the right solutions to the myriad challenges confronting Nigeria.