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.
The Acting General Manager of Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory, LSMTL, Engr Olalekan Ajani, who stated this today during a stakeholders’ engagement with the leadership of NABMON in Alimosho area of the State, described block moulders as critical stakeholder in construction works.
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 Standard, NIS under the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON as a way of tackling the menace of building collapse.
Ajani added that members of the association must ensure that their activities is regulated by the Agency as stipulated in the 2015 Building and Civil Engineering (Construction) materials Law of the State Government.
“The essence of this stakeholders engagement with NABMON is in line with 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 a great havoc like building collapse,” the Acting General Manager informed.
He listed what the Agency look out for in a block to include the size, strength,, dimensions, physical appearance, methodology engaged in the mix ratio either hand compactor method or mechanical machinery method.
Speaking on the outcome of the inspection visit to some block moulding industries within ALIMOSHO area of the State, Engr. Ajani acknowledged efforts being made by some of the block manufacturers to meet up with the established standards while he also called for more conscious efforts in this regard.
In his words; “So far, the degree of compliance in the mixing, compactment 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.”
Engr. Ajani said that the agency would begin to register qualified industries and issue them unique identification numbers and also recertify already registered block manufacturers.
He emphasised the importance of paying due attention to the curing process while moulding blocks as well as the need to have their blocks branded for easy marketing and authentication of their industries.
Ajani added that if the moulders conduct themselves orderly, follow stipulated standards, it will be easy for the agency to recommend their blocks to both government and individuals to patronize them for building construction works.
The National President of NABMON, Mr. Rasheed Adebowale berated the practice whereby owners of buildings engages the services of quarks to mould blocks for them, stressing that the practice cannot guarantee quality as basic professional processes would not be adhered to.
The State Chairman NABMON, Mr. Rasheed Aleshinloye tasked the State government to intensify its sensitization through jingles and television appearances where members of the public would be enlightened on the dangers in patronizing unapproved block moulding industries as well as the need to insist in quality blocks.
Also, the Zonal Chairman of ALIMOSHO branch of the Association, Mr. Yusuf Adewuyi identified the challenges of organising all block moulders under an umbrella whereby they can regularly attend meetings where issues pertaining to developments in the industry could be discussed and such would be binding on all members.