The Lagos State Government has sealed several buildings being constructed without planning permit in Lagos Island.
The enforcement drive, conducted on Friday, was part of the state’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal developments and ensure compliance with physical planning regulations.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, who led the exercise reaffirmed the government’s firm stance against illegal building constructions.
Among the properties sealed were buildings located at No. 7 Okesuna Street, 42/64 Okepopo Street, 11/15 Sunmonu Street, 22 Olushi Street, and 8 Isale Gangan Street.
Other affected sites included properties on Oroyinyin, Faji, and Omididun streets.
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Olumide, while cautioning contravening building developers, said that it had become imperative for the government to compel the right and positive attitude from the people towards physical planning laws, after months of gracious amnesty to buildings without planning permit.
According to him, “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.”
The commissioner decried the spate of illegal building construction on Lagos Island, especially building on narrow strips of land that leaves no room for adequate setbacks and air spaces, as he ordered the stoppage of the ongoing construction on number 8, Isale gangan Street for its narrowness.
He warned residents, property owners and property developers of their civic duty to obtain necessary approvals before embarking on building construction, while urging owners of adjoining small parcels of land to seriously consider the land-pooling option to aid livable, organised and sustainable built environment.
Olumide highlighted the importance of whistleblowing on illegal constructions, saying that residents were encouraged to provide information that would assist the government discover physical planning contraventions at their infancy and act promptly in the interest of all to sustain the State’s development agenda as it relates to the physical planning sector.
Other officials on the operation exercise include: Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Engr. Olumide Sotire, Directors in the ministry and top officials of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, LASPPPA
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