BCPG Raises the Alarm Over Substandard Soil Tests in Lagos Coastal Areas
The Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), Iru–Victoria Island Cell, has warned that substandard geotechnical soil investigations in Lagos’s coastal areas could result in catastrophic building failures if urgent measures are not taken.
In a statement released on Sunday, the guild expressed worry that inadequate soil testing is increasingly undermining the structural integrity of buildings, exposing lives and investments to grave risks.
According to the group, a proper geotechnical sub-soil report is essential in guiding engineers on the most appropriate foundation type for any proposed structure. However, many of the soil tests currently being conducted fall below acceptable standards.
“The lack of effective regulatory monitoring of geotechnical practices in Lagos State could lead to future building collapses in Iru–Victoria Island LCDA. Many of the soil tests conducted are below standard, mainly because practitioners accept low prices to cut costs,” the BCPG noted.
The guild also drew attention to the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority Regulations (2019), which require developers to provide sub-soil investigation reports as part of the building approval process. Despite this, compliance is often treated as a mere formality, with many developers failing to uphold the intent of the law.
Rising demand for soil testing services has further revealed gaps in the technical capacity of some firms, the guild observed. “Many piling contractors now request confirmatory soil tests, forcing clients to pay twice. This clearly shows that all is not well in the sector,” the statement added.
The BCPG urged closer collaboration between government agencies, professional associations, and industry players to address these lapses. It stressed the need for strict adherence to established standards, capacity building for geotechnical practitioners, and greater transparency in soil testing processes.
The guild emphasized that safeguarding quality in geotechnical investigations is crucial to preventing structural failures, protecting public safety, and ensuring sustainable investments in Lagos’s rapidly expanding coastal communities.
