The Lagos State Government has sealed more than 20 properties in Ikeja Local Government Area for violating physical planning regulations, as part of its ongoing enforcement drive to curb illegal developments and promote a safe built environment.
The enforcement exercise was carried out by the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit MD (LASPPPA), according to a statement issued by the state government on Saturday.
The operation was led by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Olayinka Wasiu, alongside the General Manager of LASPPPA, Kehinde Osinaike, and other senior officials of the agency.
The affected properties comprised landed properties, uncompleted buildings and structures with unauthorised extensions, all found to be in contravention of the Lagos State Physical Planning Law.
Describing the exercise as a preventive measure, the government said the enforcement was aimed at averting building collapse, promoting orderly urban development and ensuring strict compliance with planning regulations across the state.
“The enforcement action was a proactive measure aimed at preventing building collapse, promoting orderly physical development and ensuring strict compliance with the Lagos State Physical Planning Law,” the statement read.
It added that the state remained committed to safeguarding lives and property through effective enforcement of planning regulations.
“The state government remains committed to safeguarding lives and property by enforcing planning regulations that guarantee a safe, resilient and sustainable built environment across Lagos State,” the statement added.
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The government disclosed that owners of the affected properties had earlier been served contravention notices, notifying them of the planning violations and the steps required to regularise their developments before enforcement became necessary.
“Contravention notices had been served on the affected property owners, clearly outlining the necessary steps required to regularise their developments before the enforcement exercise became inevitable,” the statement said.
Wasiu urged property owners and developers to always obtain the appropriate planning permits and approvals before commencing any development or structural alteration.
He stressed that adherence to planning regulations remains critical to achieving sustainable urban development in Lagos.
The permanent secretary also reaffirmed the government’s resolve to sustain monitoring and enforcement operations across the state.
“The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, through LASPPPA, will continue to intensify monitoring and enforcement activities across the state to curb illegal developments and preserve the integrity of the built environment,” the statement read.
He assured law-abiding residents that the authority would continue to work towards maintaining an orderly, aesthetically pleasing and legally compliant physical environment in line with the state government’s vision of building a safe, modern and sustainable megacity.