In a bid to curb the menace of illegal building construction and building collapse, the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has commenced the on-site inspection of planning permits tagged “Operation Show Your Planning Permit”.
Speaking at the flag-off of the operation in Onikoyi, Banana Island and environs on Monday, the Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako said the compliance exercise would be extended to other parts of the State during the coming week.
The Commissioner said that it was highly regrettable that “most of the buildings within the highbrow areas are either without planning permit or built beyond approved units, stressing that many commenced construction without recourse to the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) as stipulated in the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning Law.
In view of this flagrant disregard to the extant planning laws of the State, Dr. Salako stated that the Lagos Government would not hesitate to apply the full wrath of the law against such violators, in order to ensure compliance with the planning laws and regulations in the State.
He maintained that obtaining planning permit before commencing construction is not negotiable as the present administration remains determined to bequeath Lagos a megacity that is sustainable, orderly, liveable and friendly to business and tourism.
While emphasising that the era of unplanned developments in which anyone could erect buildings according to their fancy is over, Salako said, “For the avoidance of doubt, no building is allowed to spring up in Lagos State without first obtaining planning permit and complying with the State building laws”.
He, therefore, urged all property owners, developers and other stakeholders in the built environment to ensure that they obtain a building permit and produce it when demanded by officials of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and its Agencies, adding that non-availability of the permit would lead to sealing of the affected property while its promoters would be made to face the law.
The Commissioner also warned property owners and all concerned to desist from breaking government seals on identified illegal building construction or working on sites where seals had been broken.
He urged Lagosians and all stakeholders to cooperate with the State Government in its aim of achieving a safe and secure environment by, not only obtaining planning permit but, ensuring conformity with their approved plans.
Other top officials present during the enforcement operation include the Special Adviser, Urban Development, Mr. Ganiu Adele Ayuba; the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Arc. Foluso Dipe and the General Manager, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, Tpl. Funmi Oshifuye.
