The Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development, with support from the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development within the framework of the Nigerian Energy Support Programme, on Wednesday, held a one-day sensitisation workshop for stakeholders in the state’s built environment.

The sensitisation exercise, which focused on modalities of domesticating the National Building Code for Lagos State, had participants cutting across building professionals’ bodies, academia and building regulators.

The awareness workshop served as a forum for stakeholders to deliberate on a methodological approach toward the domestication of the National Building Code and the integration of the Building Energy Efficiency Code and green building principles to the code.

Delivering the address of welcome to participants, the Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako, said the domestication of the National Building Code and its eventual launch as ‘Lagos State Building Code’ would deliver another national milestone from Lagos State.

“The Code will ensure that buildings are more resilient to disasters such as floods, fire outbreaks and collapse, by specifying requirements for structural stability, durability and energy efficiency,” he said.

The Special Advisor to the Governor on e-GIS, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, stated in his speech that, “Lagos as a front runner in the country is taking the bold step to regularise its building standards which, in addition to protecting its people and property, would lower construction costs and drive economic development.”

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development, Eng Abiola Kosegbe, in her remarks, urged the participants to leverage the expertise gained from previous training, to incorporate energy efficiency and green building principles in the design and construction of buildings in order to achieve energy savings.

If implemented, Lagos State would become the first state to domesticate the National Building Code while also adopting the BEEC and other sustainable building measures to support the goal of transforming the state into a sustainable, smart city.

The NESP also provides technical advisory and capacity development to private developers and building professionals on improved energy-efficient building design and construction.

The Head of Programme, NESP, Mr Duke Benjamin said, “NESP is committed to supporting Lagos State to implement its Code domestication plan and would provide technical assistance throughout the process.”