Kunle Adelabu
-Building permit rate will change soon
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Olumide Abiodun Oluyinka, has hinted that residents of Ikorodu division, should be ready to cope with high cost of living once the 4th Mainland Bridge and other infrastructural developments planned for the urbanization of the division, are put in place.
He also issued a stern warning to property owners in Ikorodu, on the need to, as a matter of urgency, get planning permit approval within the amnesty period or risk paying higher.
Dr Oluyinka spoke at the official presentation of the Ikorodu Sub Regional Masterplan at the Ikorodu Town Hall on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
He stated that the approval rate would be review upward due to the proposed 4th Mainland Bridge which he said would transform the entire division.
However, his warning did not go down well with stakeholders who are still demanding for downward review of the existing rate.
“Ikorodu has one of the least rate payable as approval for building permit, but it is going to change very soon, because of the 4th Mainland Bridge”, Commissioner for Physical Planning said.
“I must inform you that we are starting (the 4th Mainland Bridge project) at the two ends – Igbogbo and the Abraham Adesanya ends. You know the benefit of that; it is going to open up that areas. When you talk about development in Lagos State today, the areas in vogue now are Ibeju and Epe axis. It is for us here (in Ikorodu) to quickly take possession and get ourselves ready, because once that bridge lands here, it is going to affects many other things.
“For instance, roads that are two lanes now will turn into six lanes and that is development for this area. Even the rail line that is coming will also becadded to that development.
“There is no more rural areas in Lagos State, every part of the state are now urban. Between now and the next four to six years, we are going to see a lot of rapid developments in Ikorodu area.
“The consequence of that is that houses that are N300, 000 per annum will increase to N4million or N5million, because once you have the road and the railway….”, the Commissioner said.
Fadilat Sheikh Al-Imam Aliu Seifudeen Ayinla Ademoritan Olowo-Oribi, Grand Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division, speaking at the presentation, thanked the Lagos State Government, especially Governor Babajide Sanwo – Olu, for his administration efforts in developing the state and Ikorodu in particular.
He charged the governor to ensure that projects yet to be completed several years after commencement, are completed for the betterment of the residents.
He also charged the government functionaries on the need to be close to the residents for them to know how they are surviving in the challenging situation in the country, before imposing tax and other duties on them.
The religious leader said that the government ought to have discussed with the residents before imposing the building permit, because majority found it difficult to survive and yet, the government is imposing further hard condition as approval.
