The Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development on Thursday held a stakeholders’ workshop on Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Regulations and Building Control Regulations, 2019 to enlighten stakeholders on the provisions of the law and the constitution of a Physical Planning and Building Control Appeals Committee by the State Government.
The Physical Planning Permit and Building Control Regulations 2019 was recently passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly while the Physical Planning and Building Control Appeals Committee was approved by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPP&UD) Dr. Idris Salako stated that the stakeholders’ workshop was crucial to the successful delivery of town planning services in Lagos State in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu’s administration.
Dr. Salako also stressed that the Stakeholders’ engagement shows the state government’s disposition to continuous engagement and consultation as means of providing innovative solutions to better the lives of Lagosians.
He disclosed that provisions in the new Regulations reflect the current realities in the built industry especially in curbing illegal developments across the State.
In his words, “ignorance of the law would no longer be entertained. We have now declared zero tolerance to illegal developments all over the state and fragrant disobedience of enforcement activities would be dealt with according to the extant laws including the 2019 regulations”.
He clarified that the regulations were not intended to witch hunt anyone but to clampdown on the rising issues of building collapse and restore sanity to the built sector in Lagos State.
The Chairman, House committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development Hon. Nureni Ayinde Akinsanya noted that the new regulations will help in the smooth process of town planning permit, adding that the Physical Planning and Building Control Appeals Committee will also serve as a platform for resolving issues amicably.
The Permanent Secretary, MPP&UD, Arc. Folusho Dipe emphasized that all regulations or laws promulgated by the state government are for prevention and control and not intended to cause hardship on anyone or serve as sources of revenue for government as speculated in some quarters.
The participants for the workshop were drawn from the Lagos State Chapters of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners(NITP), Nigerian Institute of Architect(NIA), Nigerian institute of Estate Surveyor and Valuers (NIESV) amongst others.
The State Government was commended by participants at the event as they expressed optimism that the constitution of the committee would go a long way in reducing the bureaucracies associated with obtaining building and physical planning permits.
It should be noted that the members of the Physical Planning and Building Control Appeals Committee will be sourced from the built industry, ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and Ministry of Justice. The committee is to investigate, recommend and resolve all issues relating to physical planning and building control.
Also in attendance at the event were the General Manager, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, Mr Funmi Osifuye and General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Mrs Abiola Koshegbe.
