By Francis Ogwo
A total of 10 different buildings have been sealed off by the Lagos State Government in Ogudu, G.R.A for violating the state’s physical planning laws.
This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako, while leading a team of government officials for the special enforcement operation.
Salako said owners of the properties had defied orders of the Lagos State Physical Planning laws even after being served the statutory notices.
According to him, the sealed property owners had breached various aspects of the law, including the development of buildings without Planning Permits, not building in conformity with approvals and not having stage certification among others.
The Commissioner further emphasized that the Lagos State Government is determined to achieve a livable, orderly and sustainably built environment and would not allow any willful violation of the Planning laws of the state.
He urged developers and property owners, whose properties were sealed, to engage the Ministry with a view to getting the appropriate Planning Permits authorizing their building construction or renovation.
He added that law-abiding citizens of Lagos State intending to build should obtain Planning Permits from Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority and evidence of Stage Certification, which includes Certificate of Completion and Fitness for Habitation, from Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
The Commissioner enjoined Lagosians not to engage charlatans in obtaining Planning Permits as they run the risk of procuring fake permits which the State government would not hesitate to disavow.
Note that the Lagos State Government through its Physical Planning and Urban Development Ministry has been on strict enforcement drive of its physical planning laws by moving against developers of illegal and unapproved buildings.
Reports say both commercial and residential properties have been sealed at different times in Lekki, Surulere, Ikoyi, Amuwo Odofin, Ogudu GRA, Ikeja and others.
This is with the recent review of the processing time of the planning permit by the state government toward making it easier, faster and less difficult to be obtained.
