The Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory Agency has expressed concern about the alarming rise of sharp practices by some residents in relation to materials testing protocols.

The General Manager of LSMTL, Olayinka Abdul, made this known at the agency’s inaugural news conference, on Wednesday in Lagos.

The agency is concerned that these actions are compromising the quality and safety of infrastructure in Lagos State.

According to Ms Abdul, as a city grows quickly, it is crucial to have strict guidelines and quality control measures in place to ensure that the infrastructure is safe and reliable.

“The agency’s responsibility is to guarantee that the materials used in construction projects meet the highest standards of quality and safety. This is a critical task that cannot be compromised, as it directly affects the safety of lives and property,” she stressed.

The general manager highlighted several specific practices that had been observed, including intimidation, tampering with samples, misinformation, and abuse of agency personnel.

She said that the agency represented the Lagos State T.H. E.M. E.S plus Agenda at ensuring safety of lives in averting building collapse, adding that its personnel should not be maltreated for doing this.

She emphasised the importance of materials testing for quality assurance, environmental adaptation, regulatory compliance, and diagnostic purposes.

Abdul highlighted the goal of creating a state free from building collapses, which could be achieved through collective efforts.

She encouraged the media and relevant stakeholders to work together with them by advocating for and promoting awareness of the revamped materials testing processes.

(NAN)