Oct. 19, 2023

The Lagos State Government has reiterated that anyone found constructing buildings without approval will risk prosecution for infringement of the law, in addition to the removal of the structure.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide made this known on Wednesday during a routine monitoring of the built environment along the Lekki/Ajah corridor.

The Commissioner directed the sealing and partial removal of some contravening structures in different locations within the axis and issued a strong warning to owners/developers of all structures under the powerline to vacate within two weeks as no structure is permissible under the powerline, which ought to accommodate only open display of goods and services.

While frowning at the pervasive disregard for physical planning laws across the state, he averred that there would be no sacred cows in the application of the law to the benefit of a livable and sustainable built environment.

He urged property owners and developers to obtain planning permits before embarking on construction and keep to the dictates of their approvals to avoid the wrath of the law.

The Commissioner, who also assessed the clearing of structures on drainage alignment in Ikota Villa Estate by the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, said that the importance of obtaining approval before erecting structures and building in line with the granted approval could not be overemphasised as the planning permit is critical to environmental sustainability and national security.

Also present during the monitoring exercise were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Engr. Oluwole Sotire and General Manager, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, LASPPPA, Tpl. Kehinde Osinaike.