Sanwo-Olu warns against violation of physical planning laws

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday warned recalcitrant property owners and developers against habitual flouting of physical planning laws.

He also appealed for stakeholders voluntary compliance.

He said his administration was determined to enforce physical planning regulations and sanction offenders.

Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Folasade Jaji, said this at a stakeholders engagement organised by the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) for Lekki-Ikoyi-Eti-Osa and environs.

The governor at the stakeholders meeting convened to discuss the benefits of voluntary compliance to Physical Planning Permit Laws, said his administration was ready to purge the system of violators.

He said voluntary obedience to physical planning permit laws would ensure even and orderly developments of physical structures that were safe and habitable.

The governor said the stakeholders meeting was a demonstration of commitment of his administration to forestall unpleasant incidences in the built sector that have led to loss of lives and properties and ensure sanity in the built environment.

“I would also like to sound a note of warning to recalcitrant and criminal minded property owners and developers to desist from constantly flouting the physical planning laws, we are determined to enforce the physical planning regulations and sanction offenders without fear or favour.

“We are unshaken in our resolve to purge the state of elements who flagrantly disregard the physical planning permit laws and ensure even and orderly developments of physical structures that are safe and habitable,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu enumerated the benefits of voluntary compliance and the need for residents to embrace the option which was safer and convenient for all stakeholders and residents.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban development, Dr Idris Salako, enumerated problems of population upsurge and appealled to residents to support government’s efforts to stem the worrisome trend of building collapse.

Salako, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Abiola Kosegbe, said a weekly mass media advocacy would be embarked upon to educate residents on voluntary compliance of physical planning permits.

He condemned the unwarranted assaults on the officers of his agencies carrying out their duties to ensure a sustainable built environment in the state.

Salako said the physical planning agencies would continue to collaborate and constantly engage the public on importance of planning.

He said the stakeholders meeting was timely to ensure holistic action to eradicate all consequences of building collapse or demolition which were not palatable to government and stakeholders.

He reeled out the various guidelines for obtaining planning permits and how to use online platforms of the ministry.

At the event which featured the unveiling of 41 district officers to voluntary compliance of physical planning permit laws across Lagos, the General Manager of the LASPPPA, Mr Kehinde Osinaike, reeled out efforts towards voluntary compliance.

Osinaike said amongst other innovations Lagos had reviewed the process of Planning Permit from 28 to 10 working days, adding that, this excluded encumbrances for non-compliance with the tax policy of the state.

He said that voluntary compliance was cheaper for both residents and property owners and development while reeling out guidelines required of stakeholders who want to build.

Stakeholders at the event which included heads of Ministry of Physical planning agencies and General Managers, Lagos State Safety Commission, Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory and others took turns to educate the stakeholders.

They explained implications of excluding their agencies and the consequences which included high rates of site accidents, building collapse, loss of investments, among others.

They harped on the roles and responsibilities of the built environment professionals and the need for developers and property owners to engage them to ensure quality construction while also voluntarily complying to Planning Permit laws.

Present at the event were traditional rulers which included the Oniru of Oniru kingdom, Oba Gbolahan Lawal, property owners, developers, realtors, council officials, community development associations, residents associations, among others.