May 28, 2023

The General Manager of Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), Tpl Kehinde Osinaike has strongly condemned the common practice of displaying fake Physical Planning Permit Numbers on construction sites by some property owners and developers in the State.

According to Osinaike, this is done to divert the Authority’s Enforcement Team from checking the conformity of such structures to Planning Permit Laws.

The General Manager, who stated this during a recent three-day enforcement exercise by the Agency on non-conforming structures at Banana Island, Lekki, Eti-Osa, Ikoyi and other parts of the State, described the act as criminal and dangerous.

Speaking further, Osinaike revealed that the exercise became expedient as a result of illegal activities of some developers including construction without a Physical Planning Permit, conversion of structures from the use for which a planning Permit was granted, non-adherence to the stipulations in the planning Permit granted, all of which contradict the Planning Permit Laws and the operative development plan of the State, especially in the fast developing Lekki corridor.

He expressed regret that despite LASPPPA’s efforts at sensitising and creating awareness for Lagosians and relevant stakeholders on the need to obtain Physical Planning Permit from the Authority’s District Offices and the Head Office, some still go through the back door, patronising touts, who hand them fake Physical Planning permits.

He further warned developers presenting fake planning Permits on DCB Boards to desist as anyone caught in the act will be arrested and prosecuted. The GM also urged prospective property buyers to verify the status of properties they intend to purchase.

On his part, the Head, Monitoring and Enforcement Unit of LASPPPA, Tpl. Iyiola Olarinde, decried the acts of denying officials of the Authority access to some Estates, thereby restricting them from carrying out their statutory duties.

Olarinde particularly condemned the stiff resistance encountered by LASPPPA Officials recently at Periwinkle Lifestyle Estate, along Freedom Way, Ikate Lekki when its officials tried to gain entrance to the estates to serve notices.

He, however, reiterated the constant appeal of the Authority to intending Owners/Developers to visit any of its District Offices closest to them or the Head Office, Opposite Soho Filling Station, Oba Akinjobi Way GRA Ikeja to obtain their Planning Permits before embarking on any building projects.