As part of the ongoing crackdown on defaulters, the Lagos State Government has sealed many buildings that were being built on Lagos Island without a planning permit.
The activity was led by Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, who emphasized the government’s strong opposition to unauthorized building construction.
Number 7 Okesuna Street, 42/64 Okepopo Street, 11/15 Sunmonu Street, 22 Olushi Street, and 8 Isalegangan Street are among the properties that were sealed because they lacked the necessary building construction permits.
There are further others on Omididun Street, Faji Street, and Oroyinyin Street. Olumide warned building developers who were breaking the law, saying that after months of granting projects without a planning permit a kind reprieve, it was now necessary for the government to force people to have a proper and constructive attitude toward physical planning rules.
He said, “The amnesty program provided an opportunity for property owners to regularise their building permits without facing immediate penalties.
“Unfortunately, many disregarded this initiative while it lasted and now proceed with illegal constructions that fail to meet structural, environmental, and safety standards.
“Our goal is to encourage compliance, ensuring that Lagos remains a safe and orderly city for all residents.
“The exercise will be extended to other parts of the State to ensure compliance.
“No doubt, unregulated developments pose significant risks to the built environment, including structural collapse, environmental degradation, and disruption to planned city layouts.”
As he ordered the ongoing construction on number 8, Isale Gangan Street, to stop due to its narrowness, the commissioner denounced the wave of unlawful building development on Lagos Island, particularly the construction on narrow strips of land that do not provide for proper setbacks and air spaces.
He urged owners of adjacent small parcels of land to give the land-pooling option careful thought in order to support a livable, organized, and sustainable built environment, while also warning residents, property owners, and property developers of their civic duty to obtain necessary approvals before beginning building construction.
In order to support the State’s development agenda in relation to the physical planning sector, Olumide emphasized the value of whistleblowing on illegal constructions and encouraged citizens to provide information that would help the government identify physical planning violations early on and take swift action in everyone’s best interests.
The Permanent Secretary of the Office of Physical Planning, Engineer Olumide Sotire, ministry directors, and senior officials from the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, or LASPPPA, are among the other officials participating in the operation activity.