In curbing the practice of illegal building construction, the Lagos state government through the Special Enforcement Operation has seized over 56 illegal building and construction sites in Lekki and Banana Island.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, described the rate at which developers in elite areas break planning laws as unacceptable.
According to Salako, inhabitants of elite areas have developed the habit of erecting buildings without the necessary permits. This has created a problem for the sustainable development of the environment.
Salako then demanded property owners in the area to come forth with their planning permits granted for the building construction, and evidence of stage certification obtained from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) or have their buildings sealed.
“Property owners in Ikoyi and Banana Island must produce on demand their planning permits and evidence of stage certification or risk their property being sealed up in furtherance of the state policy of zero-tolerance for illegal developments,” he said.
Also, Salako urged those whose property were sealed due to these infractions to report to the Office of the Commissioner, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, to complete their documentation.
Salako noted that the exercise would be extended to other parts of the state as a way of showing the government’s determination to guard the state operative development plans and curb illegal physical development.
The Lagos State government has in recent times shown zero tolerance for illegal development to curb the unprecedented rate of illegal building construction in the state. The act of illegal construction has become a challenge in Nigeria especially in major cities like Lagos despite numerous efforts by the government to curb the practice.
Ignorance on planning and building regulations, inadequate housing schemes, unrealistic zonings and the location of land are critical factors attributed to the unauthorized siting of buildings. It is therefore important that the populace is sensitized regularly by LASBCA on land-use planning and the building regulations of the state. In curbing the practice of illegal building construction,
More so, the LASBCA should create a system that will help the institution monitor and detect buildings under construction; so that buildings located at unapproved places could be quickly detected, and appropriate measures could be taken prior to completion. This would guard against the abuse of green belts, lands, congestion, and other vulnerable natural landscapes in the state.
