Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday approved the immediate lifting of the embargo on the grant of planning permit for the construction of Petrol Filling Stations (PFS), just as he approved the implementation of a reviewed guideline detailing the requirements to be met by operators seeking planning permits for PFS and gas plants in the state.
The State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, who made this known in an interview recently (not with THE IMPACT), recalled that the embargo being previously placed on the establishment of PFS in 2017 during the annual Ministerial Press Briefing by the State government.
According to him, “By this approval, the state government seeks to ensure safe and orderly siting, operation and management of (PFS) and gas plants for the overall safety of Lagosians”.
He said the embargo had been placed in order to check the proliferation of petrol filling stations and gas plants and its consequences on safety of lives and property, adding that the state government was also concerned about improving the aesthetic value and the efficiency of operation in the planning, building control and urban regeneration of the state.
Ogunleye declared that with the reviewed guidelines, investors intending to embark on developments of this nature and existing operators are directed to strictly comply with the provisions of the reviewed templates.
“Investors are enjoined to apply for Planning Information from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development before embarking on any developments in order to have firsthand information about the kind of development that can be done in a specific area of the state”, he added.
The Commissioner explained that offering Planning Information is a free service rendered by the Ministry to the public, in addition to providing information on land use zoning, permissible use, plot size, building coverage and height, deviation setback, airspace and parking requirements.
While appealing to all relevant stakeholders and the general public to ensure the successful implementation of the new guidelines, he, however, warned that erring developers would be penalised according to the relevant laws of the State.
