28th August, 2024
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory Agency has lamented the alarming rise in sharp practices against materials testing protocols and vowed to ensure the highest standard.
The General Manager of the agency, Engr. Olayinka Abdul, at a news conference in Lagos on Wednesday, said she felt it had become imperative to discuss the alarming rise of sharp practices by some residents against materials testing protocols.
She said with Lagos constantly in motion with rapid development, there is equally an urgent need for rigorous standards, testing processes and procedures.
“Our Agency is entrusted with ensuring that the materials used in these projects meet the highest standards of quality and safety. This unique responsibility cannot and must not be compromised as it concerns the safety of lives and property.
“Regrettably, however, we have observed an increase in sharp practices, where certain individuals and groups have attempted to circumvent the established protocols of materials testing.
“These actions not only threaten the integrity of construction projects but also endanger the lives of citizens who rely on safe and durable infrastructure,” Abdul stated.
She said some of the most concerning practices the agency had encountered included intimidation and pressurising of its personnel.
“There have been instances where individuals have sought to manipulate the testing process through intimidation and pressuring our personnel to overlook critical tests or to falsify results. This is not only illegal but also an attack on the ethics of our profession.
“There have been tampering with samples. We have encountered cases where samples of construction materials have been tampered with before testing. This deceitful practice undermines our efforts to ensure that the materials are safe and suitable for use,” Abdul stated.
She also listed the issue of misinformation and misrepresentation, saying that some individuals, developers and contractors had misrepresented the quality and sources of their materials, leading the agency to believe that they met safety standards.
Abdul further mentioned abuse of its personnel as one of the problems encountered.
According to her, “most of our personnel are being emotionally abused, even sometimes physically abused while on duty. This action should stop. We represent the Lagos State T.H. E.M. E.S plus Agenda to ensure the safety of lives in averting building collapse. This, we should not be mistreated for doing this.”
The General Manager explained that the essence of testing materials included quality assurance, saying in an industry where the integrity of a structure is paramount, the quality of materials could not be overlooked.
“Rigorous testing ensures that the materials used in construction can withstand environmental pressures and durability over time,” she said.
Abdul added that with the topography of Lagos State, being majorly riverine, having unique challenges and peculiarities such as soil salinity, waterlogging, and erosion in most areas, by testing materials, “we can identify those that are best suited to withstand the demanding conditions present in these environments, ensuring that our structures are durable and sustainable as built.”
She disclosed that the Lagos State Government has established regulatory standards and regulations to guide construction practices, adding that the agency is committed to ensuring that these lines are strictly enforced for the safety of residents’ lives.
“As the citadel of materials testing in the built industry, we can possibly determine the quality of materials used to curb mediocrity,” she said.
