By Yemi Olakitan
The Lagos State Government has sealed 700 buildings in 2023.
This was revealed by the General Manager of Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), Mr Kehinde Osinaike, on Tuesday, when he was leading an enforcement team on an inspection tour of the Ikeja Local Government area of the state.
Osinaike said that the authority was embarking on early measures to avert building collapse in 2024.
According to him, the 700 buildings were sealed for various contraventions in 2023
He explained that this was to tame physical planning infractions to curb building collapse in line with the vision of the state.
The general manager said that the state government was committed to the sustainable growth and development of Lagos as well as a well-planned and organised urban environment for the benefit of all residents.
He said that some recalcitrant developers either ignored or broke the government seal to continue illegal construction, hence the need to start early enforcement in 2024.
“In 2023, we sealed more than 700 buildings all over the state. A substantial number of them came back to more or less regularise their papers, and when they meet the requirements, we unsealed them and regularised their papers,” Osinaike said.
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He commended the large number of residents who embraced voluntary compliance in 2023 and appealed to recalcitrant developers and property owners to change their ways
The general managers said that voluntary compliance ensured the safety of lives and investments.
He said it also helped to achieve orderliness in the environment.
Osinaike appealed to Lagos residents to always approach the closest LASPPPA district offices across the local governments before embarking on either land purchase or property development.
He said information like availability and suitability of vacant land, purpose and other variables could be checked before purchase of land.
The general manager said there were currently 50 district offices scattered across the state, and the government was planning to create additional ones.
Osinaike said obtaining planning permits had been made faster through reforms and innovations put in place by the authority, adding that, approval could be granted within 10 days.
“We are also using this opportunity to inform the good people of Lagos that whenever they wish to acquire any landed property in any part of the state, be it vacant land, or an existing building, it is also important that they contact the nearest town planning office.
”If they do, they will be guided and given information about the provability of that landed property”, he said.
He said that the planning office would also be able to advise on encroachments on roads, drains and other Right of Way setbacks.
