The Lagos State Government South West Nigeria says it will clamp down on those who are used to flouting the building laws of the state.
The State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Rotimi Ogunleye gave this indication while reading the score card of his Ministry in the last one year to mark the three years in office of the state Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode.
Mr Ogunleye says the state is particular about developers who build structures without approved specifications and employed service of unqualified individuals in the process.
“Let me let me reiterate that this Administration will not condone any form illegal developments and contraventions.
Developers in the habit of breaking the Lagos State Building Control Agency LASBCA seals or removing the oxide marks on their properties after they have been found to have contravened the law are advised to desist from such acts which are liable to a fine or community service or both.
Breaking of the seals is an offence under the law.” Ogunleye said.
Amnesty for regularization
The Commissioner said that the state has asked the property developers to regularize their structures with the Ministry in order to ensure approval and authentication of the structure.
“In order to clear the backlog of applications and to encourage regularization of developments without permits, the Ministry has provided a window of opportunity with a six-month amnesty period from 1st March to 31st August 2018, during which owners and developers of existing structures are expected to regularize their developments.
It is to be noted that Penal Fees which should be paid on Building Assessment Charges would be waived during this period. Developers and owners are enjoined to take advantage of this rare opportunity to obtain permits and Certificate of Fitness on their developments.” Commissioner added
He maintained that anyone who desires to commence construction while perfecting their land documents with Lands Bureau can do so by applying for a Provisional Approval with their family land receipts duly stamped upon payment of stamp duty.
The Commissioner said that the state government has greatly improved on the provision of infrastructural renewal projects as a result of the Ministry’s programmes and policies gear towards enhancing the state physical upgrade and urban development.
He said “Looking at the infrastructural development, upgrade and urban renewal of the State in the past year, it can be categorically said that the status of Lagos State has improved tremendously ranking on a higher pedestal as one of the foremost commercial and social hubs in sub-Saharan Africa.
This revolution could also be attributed to the massive transformation and reformative Policies and Programmes of the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode which are geared towards changing the face of the State.”
Sustainable Environment
Ogunleye explained that in a view to achieve Smart City Status, the state had adopted a proactive strategy to turn identified activity centres within the State into vibrant and organized areas through the preparation of Master and Model City Plans.
According to him, “To date, about 8 Master and Model City Plans have been prepared via Lekki Comprehensive Master Plan, Badagry Master Plan, Ikoyi-Victoria Island Model City Plan, Ikeja Model City Plan, Alimosho Model City Plan, Mainland Central Model City Plan, Apapa Model City Plan and Agege-Ifako Model City Plan.
It is gratifying to announce that during the period under review 4 (four) additional Master and Model City Plans were prepared and would be ready for public use by the second quarter of this year. They are the Epe Master Plan, Ikorodu Master Plan, Oshodi-Isolo Model City Plan and the Revised Ikeja Model City Plan. It is also worthy to mention that on completion of the procurement process, the proposed Kosofe Model City Plan would be awarded in the second quarter of the year.”
He added that bearing in mind the dynamic nature of physical planning, Government is also reviewing the Approval Orders of various Government Residential Schemes such as Lekki Scheme I and Magodo Schemes I & II which are at completion stage.
Local Plans
“The essence of a Layout Plan is to ensure a liveable environment. As earlier stated, processing and granting of Layout Approvals (Provisional and Final Approval) for both Public and Private Estates are within the purview of the Ministry. During this period, 32 (Thirty-two) Layout Plan Applications were registered and a total of 13 (Thirteen) Provisional and Final Layout Approvals were granted.
Last year, the preparation of 2 (Two) Development Guides in Igborosun Excise Village in Badagry LGA and Ikola-Odunsin, Alimosho LGA were reported. I wish to inform that these have been completed while the Itoikin in Epe LGA; Lakowe and Fidiso village in Ibeju Lekki LGA are now under preparation.”
Building Collapse
The Commissioner noted that that state has recorded significant reduction in building collapse during the year under review which according to him was achieved through collaboration with stakeholders as well as intensive Post Construction Audit of buildings by the Lagos State Building Control Agency LASBCA.
“The Ministry embarked on an Intensive Audit, through the Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory LSMTL and visited the 57 Local Government/Council Development Areas of the State to inspect both on-going construction sites and completed buildings suspected to be distressed. Consequently, 1,842 Sites were visited, 1,392 Test Advice Notices were served and information on buildings identified as distressed were forwarded to the Lagos State Building Control Agency LASBCA for necessary action.
In a systematic approach to curtail occurrences of building collapse, 149 distressed building were identified at different locations of which 40 of such have been removed while the next phase of 38 of the structurally defective structures have been earmarked for removal. Others would follow suite to safeguard lives and property.”
Other activities of the Ministry which are poised to the Urban development of the state include the review of the Planning Permit process, the Commencement of the Katangowa ICT Park Project, continuous compensation to owners and developers whose structures were affected by the construction or reconstruction of road projects and other forms of infrastructural development in the State among others.
He assured the residents that the state would continue in its stride to transform Lagos State and deliver the dividends of democracy through the Ministry of Physical Planning And Urban Development.
