LSMTL, COREN BEGIN INSPECTION OF PRIVATE TESTING LABS TO CURB BUILDING COLLAPSE IN LAGOS
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By ‘Sefiu Ajape
The Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory (LSMTL), in collaboration with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), has commenced a three-day inspection of private materials testing laboratories across the state as part of efforts to strengthen quality assurance and curb building collapse.
The exercise is aimed at assessing compliance with regulatory requirements, professional standards, quality management systems, laboratory safety protocols, and operational best practices in materials testing.
During the inspection, laboratories will be evaluated on infrastructure, equipment, personnel qualifications, documentation, quality assurance procedures, and the validity of operational licences and certifications.
Speaking on the exercise, the General Manager of LSMTL, Engr. Olayinka Abdul, stressed the importance of collaboration between the agency and certified COREN-accredited private materials testing laboratories in ensuring the delivery of credible and reliable test results for the construction industry.
According to her, private laboratories play a critical role in safeguarding public safety and ensuring the structural integrity of buildings and infrastructure across the state.
“Private laboratories are critical partners in safeguarding Public Safety and ensuring the structural integrity of buildings and infrastructure. Government alone cannot test every construction material owing to the rapid urbanisation; accredited Private Laboratories, affiliated with the agency, will serve as co-gatekeepers of quality and safety,” she said.
Engr. Abdul noted that reports issued by certified private laboratories carry significant weight in the approval process for building and infrastructure projects.
“When a Private Laboratory issues a test report, that document carries the same weight as one from a Public Laboratory; hence, it influences approvals for foundation casting, superstructure works, and other critical infrastructure,” she added.
The General Manager warned against the falsification of test results, stating that many incidents of building collapse in Lagos have been linked to the use of weak or uncertified materials, including blocks, concrete, steel, and untreated soil.
She disclosed that the agency would intensify audit exercises across both public and privately owned laboratories to strengthen compliance and monitoring.
Engr. Abdul further emphasised the need for comprehensive reporting standards, noting that laboratory reports should contain detailed information on sampling procedures, standards applied, testing conditions, and explanations of failed samples.
“Reports without detail are merely an opinion; with detail, it becomes a Legal and Engineering fact,” she said.
LSMTL and COREN warned that laboratories found operating with invalid, expired, falsified, or unapproved certificates, or in violation of established regulations, would face appropriate sanctions, including possible decertification.
The agencies maintained that the inspection exercise is not solely an enforcement mechanism but also an opportunity to promote continuous improvement and enhance public confidence in materials testing services.
They reiterated their commitment to safeguarding public safety, maintaining professional integrity, and ensuring that all private materials testing laboratories operate in line with approved standards and regulatory requirements.
Laboratory owners and operators were urged to cooperate fully with inspection teams and make all relevant certifications, licences, and operational records available for verification.
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